What happens when an amateur photographer is ‘discovered’ by the New York elites and becomes an overnight sensation?

Pecker feels like a more (don’t take this the wrong way) adult John Waters film. This doesn’t mean that he’s suddenly become Woody Allen, but instead of the most extreme shock elements being exploited to the hilt, this is more character driven and is genuinely heartfelt in some scenes.

True, there are still elements that more respected directors wouldn’t touch with a barge pole (any film that introduces audiences to ‘teabagging’ is OK by me) but this feels like a more restrained Waters and it actually works wonderfully. This is the Jackie Brown of Waters’ filmography, if you will.

An uniformedly brilliant cast (Edward Furlong, Christina Ricci, Lili Taylor to name but a few) adapt well to Waters’ material and show that they is a kind of ‘hip’ value to starring in a Waters movie which I love.

Pecker’s family are genuinely full of oddballs but also very loving which will warm the cockles, even of those who arrived here straight from Pink Flamingos and Female Trouble.

Underrated, understated and a novelty in Waters’ canon.

4 out of 5 stars