I can't believe anyone would characterize this movie as hilarious. A few scenes were slightly humorous, but nothing to make one laugh out loud. Even the raw niblets of comedy were not to my liking. It was mostly an assortment of junior high gross out jokes and stunts. I truly believe that John Waters, while making this movie, either consciously or unconsciously, was constantly repeating to himself, "how can I twist the plot around (and the lack thereof made it quite easy) to allow for the most possible amount of nudity and gruesomeness?"
The thing is, I like the idea of a satiric anti-family values movie, but there's a line in the sand of corniness, which if crossed, causes the entirety of the satire to recoil upon itself. You end up thinking, "not only are family values fanatics stupid, but so are anti-family value fanatics."
Yet there was some potential. There is something funny, yet not contrivedly funny, in things like naked men jumping around on po-go sticks and 400 pound lesbian having sex. Also, I was impressed by the beginning soundtrack and the first panning over the city and inhabitants of Mortville. Some of the characters, though usually when their mouths were shut, intrigued with their eccentric dress and demeanor. Which brings me the the most ANNOYING part of this movie: in every single scene somebody was yelling! Even normal conversation consisted of hysterical screachings. I do not know what the point of this was but it probably ruined any open-mindedness I had towards attempting to like this movie.
I rented this movie because I found 'Pecker' amusing. I can see the beginning of the peckerness in this movie, but this does not make the movie worthwhile. Overall, I've given up on 'Desperate Living,' but I'll give Waters at least one more chance.
The thing is, I like the idea of a satiric anti-family values movie, but there's a line in the sand of corniness, which if crossed, causes the entirety of the satire to recoil upon itself. You end up thinking, "not only are family values fanatics stupid, but so are anti-family value fanatics."
Yet there was some potential. There is something funny, yet not contrivedly funny, in things like naked men jumping around on po-go sticks and 400 pound lesbian having sex. Also, I was impressed by the beginning soundtrack and the first panning over the city and inhabitants of Mortville. Some of the characters, though usually when their mouths were shut, intrigued with their eccentric dress and demeanor. Which brings me the the most ANNOYING part of this movie: in every single scene somebody was yelling! Even normal conversation consisted of hysterical screachings. I do not know what the point of this was but it probably ruined any open-mindedness I had towards attempting to like this movie.
I rented this movie because I found 'Pecker' amusing. I can see the beginning of the peckerness in this movie, but this does not make the movie worthwhile. Overall, I've given up on 'Desperate Living,' but I'll give Waters at least one more chance.