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.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings