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Movie poster: Desperate Living (1977)
🎬 Movie

Desperate Living

1977 · 91 min Comedy Crime
6.4 / 10 · TMDB

A small town called Mortville hides grotesque secrets behind its white picket fences. This 1977 dark comedy crime film plunges into a world where a housewife's violent act sends her fleeing to a bizarre, matriarchal shantytown ruled by a tyrannical queen. Here, the absurd and the criminal collide in a whirlwind of chaotic rebellion and outrageous schemes. Director John Waters crafts a subversive satire where societal outcasts forge their own twisted sense of order, blending camp aesthetics with a sharp, anarchic wit. The film’s peculiar charm lies in its unapologetic celebration of misfits, delivering a hilarious and deliberately shocking critique of suburban conformity and power.

Trailer: Desperate Living
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📋 Film Details

Year 1977
Country United States of America
Genre Comedy, Crime
Director John Waters
Runtime 91 min.
Rating TMDB: 6.4/10 (115 votes)

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🎬 MovieFinder's Take

John Waters constructs a grotesque universe where pastoral ideals twist into ugly parody. His direction walks a fine line between dark humor and social satire, transforming the mundane into the absurd.

It's for viewers who appreciate provocative cinema and are ready to dive into a world of outcasts. The audience will feel a blend of revulsion and admiration for this bold vision. — MovieFinder Editorial

Director: John Waters

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Best Watched

Best watched with like-minded friends who relish absurdist comedy.

🎭 Cast

Mink Stole

Mink Stole

Peggy Gravel

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Jean Hill

Grizelda Brown

Susan Lowe

Susan Lowe

Mole McHenry

Liz Renay

Liz Renay

Muffy St. Jacques

Edith Massey

Edith Massey

Queen Carlotta

Mary Vivian Pearce

Mary Vivian Pearce

Princess Coo-Coo

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Brook Yeaton

Bosley Jr. (as Brook Blake)

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Karen Gerwig

Beth

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Jay Allan

Kid

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Al Strapelli

Dr. Evans

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💬 Audience Reviews

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