Cry-Baby
Allison is a "square" good girl who has decided she wants to be bad and falls hard for Cry-Baby Walker, a Greaser (or "Drape" in John Waters parlance). Spoofing Elvis movies and Juvenile Delinquency scare films of the '50s, this movie follows the adventures of Cry-Baby who, though he is sent to juvie, is determined to cross class (and taste) boundaries to get Allison back.
The film disappointed at the box office against its small-scale budget of $11.0M, earning $8.3M globally (-25% loss).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Cry-Baby (1990) exhibits strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of John Waters's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 25 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Opening image of Baltimore 1954: squares and drapes separate at the high school gates. Allison Vernon-Williams, perfect square girl, walks through her pristine conformist world while Cry-Baby Wade Walker and the drapes represent dangerous rebellion.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 9 minutes when Cry-Baby sheds a single tear during vaccination, looking directly at Allison. She's mesmerized. The tear disrupts her perfect square world and awakens desire she didn't know existed. The status quo becomes impossible to maintain.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 19 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Allison makes an active choice: she gets in Cry-Baby's car and goes with him to Turkey Point, crossing into the drape world. She removes her square girl pearls and chooses rebellion. No turning back from this decision., moving from reaction to action.
At 41 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False defeat: The talent show descends into chaos and riot. Cry-Baby is arrested and jailed for inciting a riot and statutory rape (kissing Allison). The stakes raise dramatically - what was playful rebellion now has serious legal consequences. The fun is over., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 62 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost: Allison, under pressure, returns to Baldwin and the square world, abandoning Cry-Baby. She gives up on their love. Cry-Baby remains in prison, seemingly defeated. The dream of crossing social boundaries appears dead. Allison's authenticity dies., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 67 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Synthesis/revelation: Allison realizes she can't live a lie. She finds proof of Cry-Baby's innocence (he didn't start the riot - Baldwin did). She gains clarity that love and authenticity matter more than social approval. She chooses to fight for him., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Cry-Baby's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Cry-Baby against these established plot points, we can identify how John Waters utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Cry-Baby within the comedy genre.
John Waters's Structural Approach
Among the 5 John Waters films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Cry-Baby represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete John Waters filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more John Waters analyses, see Multiple Maniacs, Hairspray and Serial Mom.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Opening image of Baltimore 1954: squares and drapes separate at the high school gates. Allison Vernon-Williams, perfect square girl, walks through her pristine conformist world while Cry-Baby Wade Walker and the drapes represent dangerous rebellion.
Theme
Wanda tells Allison about the drapes: "They're the ones your parents warned you about." The theme is stated - this is about crossing social boundaries and choosing authenticity over conformity, despite what society dictates.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the rigid 1954 Baltimore world: squares vs. drapes, vaccination day rituals, the social hierarchy at school. We meet Allison (square) and Cry-Baby (drape leader), see Baldwin the square rival, and understand the forbidden nature of cross-class romance.
Disruption
Cry-Baby sheds a single tear during vaccination, looking directly at Allison. She's mesmerized. The tear disrupts her perfect square world and awakens desire she didn't know existed. The status quo becomes impossible to maintain.
Resistance
Allison debates whether to follow her attraction. Cry-Baby pursues her, singing outside her window. Her square friends warn her against drapes. Baldwin tries to keep her in the square world. She's torn between conformity and desire, safety and authenticity.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Allison makes an active choice: she gets in Cry-Baby's car and goes with him to Turkey Point, crossing into the drape world. She removes her square girl pearls and chooses rebellion. No turning back from this decision.
Mirror World
At Turkey Point, Allison meets Cry-Baby's drape family and community. They welcome her with "King Cry-Baby" celebration. This mirror world shows authentic emotion, family loyalty, and freedom from pretense - everything her square world lacks.
Premise
The fun and games of the premise: Allison explores drape culture, learns to be a "bad girl," romance blooms with Cry-Baby. Musical numbers, drag races, juvenile delinquency. The promise of forbidden love and rebellion against conformity plays out joyfully.
Midpoint
False defeat: The talent show descends into chaos and riot. Cry-Baby is arrested and jailed for inciting a riot and statutory rape (kissing Allison). The stakes raise dramatically - what was playful rebellion now has serious legal consequences. The fun is over.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies from all sides: Cry-Baby is in jail facing hard time, Allison's grandmother forbids the relationship, squares led by Baldwin plot revenge, drapes are persecuted. Society's opposition to their love closes in. Allison wavers between worlds.
Collapse
All is lost: Allison, under pressure, returns to Baldwin and the square world, abandoning Cry-Baby. She gives up on their love. Cry-Baby remains in prison, seemingly defeated. The dream of crossing social boundaries appears dead. Allison's authenticity dies.
Crisis
Dark night: Cry-Baby suffers in prison, getting a chair in the electric chair as ultimate humiliation. Allison goes through the motions in the square world but is empty. Both process the loss of their authentic connection. Despair before revelation.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Synthesis/revelation: Allison realizes she can't live a lie. She finds proof of Cry-Baby's innocence (he didn't start the riot - Baldwin did). She gains clarity that love and authenticity matter more than social approval. She chooses to fight for him.
Synthesis
The finale: Allison presents evidence clearing Cry-Baby. The trial becomes a moment of truth where squares and drapes confront their prejudices. Lenora reveals Baldwin's guilt. Society begins to change. Cry-Baby is freed. Love and authenticity triumph over conformity.
Transformation
Closing image mirrors the opening: squares and drapes together at the gates, but now united. Allison and Cry-Baby kiss freely. The rigid boundaries have dissolved. Allison has transformed from conformist square to authentic self, integrated both worlds.