Search - Desperate Living on DVD

PERFECTLY MONSTROUS

07/29/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When this was released, we all wondered if Waters could run without Divine, who had stage commitments at the time. Well, he sure showed us! From start to finish, the film is riveting. Mink Stole, in my opinion, turns in some of her finest work here - especially "the rant" before she's given her "fit medicine." It also introduced Jean Hill, doyenne of the sleazy greeting card, in a dramatic tour de force. The energy between the two women is undeniable. It's impossible not to love Edith Massey's purely evil Queen Carlotta and her troop of hot leather goons. Actually, there's nary a bad performance here. Bonnie (Mary Vivian) Pearce gave what seems to be her swan song as a major character here as well, making only cameos in subsequent Waters pictures, and one can only wonder why she's no longer cast in larger roles. As Princess Coo-Coo, she combines the pathos of the misplaced personage with the foot-stamping petulance of the spoiled child. Absolutely perfect. And Susan Lowe as the bipolar Mole will alternately have you laughing, crying in sympathy, cringing with fear, and retching with disgust! The gaily-painted, plywood fairytale sets, set against the bleak winter Maryland landscape (nearly all the shooting apparently was done on overcast days), adds an discomfiting edge, as does the bizarre "musical" soundtrack. All the elements mesh together perfectly to create a film that will haunt you long after you view it. A must!"

The movie that shows John Waters is the King of "trash"!

11/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is John's trashiest and best work. I thought it would be hard to top Pink Flamingoes, but this one does it. I love Grizelda and who can't love Edith Massey as Queen Carlotta. This movie is a must have for Waters' fans."

JOHN WATERS BEST WORK

02/26/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you love Mr. Waters films this is a MUST for your collection.Edith Massey is great in this movie. She plays Queen Carlotta and she is pure evil. Who would inject their own daugther with rabies? You can say all you want about actresses like, Streep,Moore,Fields,Roberts,etc. GIVE ME EDITH MASSEY over those girls anyday! EDITH MASSEY in Pretty Woman would have been great to see... REST HER SOUL!"

I Dare You Not to Laugh!

Nelson Aspen | Los Angeles & NYC, USA | 11/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is John Waters at his most sick, depraved and politically incorrect. It is also side-splittingly horrifying and hilarious. His stable of psycho stars, especially Mink Stole and Liz Renay, are impossible not to watch with dropped jaws of stunned amazement. DESPERATE LIVING is a fractured fairy tale that fans of the Waters genre will enjoy again and again.

The commentary track with Waters and Renay is also fun and funny. They are two folks with a refreshing candor and obvious zest for living that should inspire us all!"