Desperate Living (Edited Version) (1977)

70% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
81% of users liked it
(4,881 ratings)

Divine was touring as a cabaret singer when director John Waters made this comedy of the grotesque, but he filled the void admirably with the equally rotund Jean Hill and burlesque-queen Liz Renay. The film tells the story of Peggy Gravel (Mink Stole), a mad housewife who kills her husband then goes… More Divine was touring as a cabaret singer when director John Waters made this comedy of the grotesque, but he filled the void admirably with the equally rotund Jean Hill and burlesque-queen Liz Renay. The film tells the story of Peggy Gravel (Mink Stole), a mad housewife who kills her husband then goes on the lam with her 300-pound maid Grizelda (Hill). After being sexually accosted by a lewd, cross-dressing cop with gingivitis, the women are directed to Mortville, a shanty-town for fugitive criminals ruled by the evil Queen Carlotta (Edith Massey). Carlotta's daughter, Princess Coo-Coo (Mary Vivian Pearce) wants to renounce the throne and marry a nudist garbageman, so the Queen has him killed and enlists Peggy's aid in infecting the kingdom with rabies. Waters uses a fairy-tale framework to indulge his penchant for nauseating set-pieces, such as a transsexual lesbian (Susan Lowe) having her new penis cut off with scissors and fed to a dog, women being fed live cockroaches, and Peggy being assaulted at a lesbian glory-hole. Massey is hilarious as the Queen, urging her leather-clad bodyguards/sex-toys to "rob my safety-deposit box!," but the oddly-named actor Turkey Joe steals the show in his brief role as a lecherous cop, spouting lines like "I love the feel of cold nylon on my big butt!" and slobbering over Grizelda's huge underpants. The pinnacle of gross-out humor, Desperate Living is Waters' strangest and funniest film. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: John Waters
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 31, 1977 Wide
On DVD: Apr 1, 2003

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Even John Waters himself was not entirely pleased with his weird tale of mad housewives and eccentric lesbians in revolt, but the performances are good.
Bill Gibron, DVD Verdict
Desperate Living [is] a movie that feels like three separate films fused together. The first and the second are fantastic.
Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide
Not for the weak of heart or stomach, this one is worth a look for truly brave movie fans. People with delicate constitutions shouldn't even get close.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
even by Waters' own admission, it is too grim and unsavory
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Nonsense.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cassandra M

Possibly more depraved than "Pink Flamingos", if that's possible, "Desperate Living" is a paradox for the senses. Although tasteless and shocking, it is ultimately warm hearted and uproariously hilarious. Those familiar with John's style know that these… More
Possibly more depraved than "Pink Flamingos", if that's possible, "Desperate Living" is a paradox for the senses. Although tasteless and shocking, it is ultimately warm hearted and uproariously hilarious. Those familiar with John's style know that these contradictions work splendidly within the context that he intended them to. Never mean spirited, the outrageousness lends itself to an overall statement on the callousness of society itself. Mink Stole is simply incredible as Peggy Gravel. Her ranting and raving throughout the film is side splitting. Special mention to Jean Hill as Grizelda, Liz Renay as Muffy, and of course the ever demure (ha!) Edith Massey as Queen Carlotta. Leave all inhibitions at the door and enjoy this twisted fairy tale roller coaster ride of a good time
Stephen M

An adult fairy tale in which the evil queen of a shanty-town called Mortville is overthrown by a bunch of lesbians. Some of this is hilarious but, on the whole, Waters' satire is darker and less flippant than usual, and it's less enjoyable as a result. Mink Stole and Edith… More
An adult fairy tale in which the evil queen of a shanty-town called Mortville is overthrown by a bunch of lesbians. Some of this is hilarious but, on the whole, Waters' satire is darker and less flippant than usual, and it's less enjoyable as a result. Mink Stole and Edith Massey are on superb form in this.
Lafe F

A trashy sleazy fairy-tale - done the John Waters way. A bored housewife and her obese maid escape to a fantasy shanty-Kingdom, ruled by a kinky old Queen and her faggy leather soldiers. Life is filthy and unpredictable, with Lesbian neighbors, royal proclamations and some cruel… More
A trashy sleazy fairy-tale - done the John Waters way. A bored housewife and her obese maid escape to a fantasy shanty-Kingdom, ruled by a kinky old Queen and her faggy leather soldiers. Life is filthy and unpredictable, with Lesbian neighbors, royal proclamations and some cruel discipline. It's borderline porn with ugly people. Expect the unexpected! Prepare to be shocked and amused. I got a huge laugh out of it. Probably my favorite John Waters flick.
Sylvester K

It's dirty, it's funny, it's sick, it's hilarious. The storytelling is interesting, it's a whole lot of weird ideas combined, and yet the compound is clear and simple
Henrik S

I am not a fan of John Water. I fact, I do not think he is a good filmmaker. People claim that his movies are ironic but I think that is just the way people want to see it which I can understand but the films are too poignant and superficial for my tastes to count as satire. I am… More
I am not a fan of John Water. I fact, I do not think he is a good filmmaker. People claim that his movies are ironic but I think that is just the way people want to see it which I can understand but the films are too poignant and superficial for my tastes to count as satire. I am sure, reading up on Waters, reading his books and interviews might shed some light on this matter but it is not my responsibility as a viewer to translate the movie into my language of perception. Some of the images and characters are fascinating and contemporary directors such as Lynch have borrowed a fair share from Waters but all the interesting elements and pieces do not make for a good movie. HX
Quinto W

Probably one of the most forgotten Waters films just so happens to be my favorite. The whole 'fairy tale' feel of it all makes it a hilarious contrast to the Dreamlanders 'filth is my politics' filmmaking.