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Desperate Living (Edited Version) (1977)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 6/10
Reviews Counted: 10
Fresh: 7 | Rotten: 3

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Release Date: Dec 31, 1977 Wide

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Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 4,833

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Movie Info

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

R, 1 hr. 30 min.

Comedy

Directed By: John Waters

In Theaters: Dec 31, 1977 Wide

On DVD: Apr 1, 2003

Cast

Liz Renay
Muffy St. Jacques
Mink Stole
Peggy Gravel
Susan Lowe
Mole McHenry
Edith Massey
Queen Carlotta
Mary Vivian Pearce
Princess Coo-Coo
Jean Hill
Grizelda Brown
Cookie Mueller
Flipper
Ed Peranio
Lieutenant Wilson
Channing Wilroy
Lt. Williams
George Stover
Bosley Gravel
Roland Hertz
Muffy's Husband
George Figgs
Herbert
Pat Moran
Pervert
Peter Koper
Goon
Steve Parker
Goon
Divine
Paul Swift
Mr. Paul
David Klein
Goon

Critic Reviews for Desperate Living (Edited Version)

All Critics (11) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (4) | DVD (9)

Desperate Living [is] a movie that feels like three separate films fused together. The first and the second are fantastic.

August 22, 2005 Full Review Source: DVD Verdict

| Comment

Bill Gibron

DVD Verdict

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.

November 1, 2001 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

| Comment

Scott Weinberg

Apollo Guide

even by Waters' own admission, it is too grim and unsavory

September 26, 2001 Comment

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

Nonsense.

September 9, 2001 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

| Comment

Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

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Audience Reviews for Desperate Living (Edited Version)

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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

January 8, 2008

Cassandra Maples

Super Reviewer

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.

December 5, 2007