Liz Renay,
Mink Stole,
Susan Lowe,
Edith Massey,
Mary Vivian Pearce
... see more 
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. Th... read more
DVD Release Date: April 1, 2003
Stats: 342 reviews
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 splend... read 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... read 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 ... read more
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
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 a... read more
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.
Waters near the height of his transgressive 'let's see who we can offend' extremes, a few scant years after having Divine eat fresh dogshit he shows us Edith Massey rolling around with nude studs as the creepy Queen Carlotta, which is almost more stomach churning.
I really enjoy... read more
"you are now the proud owner of RABIES!"
this is a shining example of john waters. Desperate Living is wild, freakish, gross, juvenile, and totally genius. for the first 25% of the film mink stole is just screaming at everybody. "tell your mother i hate her/ tell your mo... read more
This is something quite different. Exploitative and disgusting, this film is best enjoyed a bit inebriated.
This is the most outrageous film I have ever seen. It is definitely my favorite of all time. If it were a guy I would marry it!
Desperate Living [is] a movie that feels like three separate films fused together. The first and the second are fantastic. Full Review
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. Full Review
even by Waters' own admission, it is too grim and unsavory
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