Sordid Lives is the screen adaptation of Del Shores' play, and it's a hoot (and a holler) from beginning to end. When I saw it last night, I had no idea what it would be about except that Olivia Newton-John was in it, along with Beau Bridges and Bonnie Bedelia, which was more than enough to get me in the theatre. I was not disappointed. The film starts out over the top and goes only farther in that direction with every scene. It's got a wacked-out cartoon tone to it, but yet the characters ARE real, you do relate to their foibles and situations. The most fully-realized character in the piece has to be Leslie Jordan's cross-dressing Brother Boy, who makes you laugh every time he appears - you are laughing WITH him, though, not AT him, and by the end you are happy for him as well. In the wrong hands, this movie could have been a travesty of major proportions, but Del Shores (who wrote and directed) is confident enough in the value of the piece to make it work.
92 Reviews
Worth Another Look Upon Olivia's and Leslie's Passings
EUyeshima7 November 2022
Recognizing the recent passings of Olivia Newton-John and Leslie Jordan would add a certain poignancy to the film, I came back to this 2000 guilty pleasure from Del Shores. It's the familiar story of a gay WeHo actor who struggles with coming home to face his small town relatives for his grandmother's funeral. Clearly based on a stage play, the movie has long dialogue-heavy scenes with few cuts, but the one-liners still land on target. Standouts remain the always underrated Bonnie Bedelia, a fully liberated Delta Burke, and Jordan who brings true heart to his cross-dressing outcast role. In more of an observational part, Olivia plays sort of a trailer trash version of her "Xanadu" muse with her "Physical" outfit.
Lots of actors you know and appreciate in this "little" film
thejdrage19 June 2022
This is a well-oiled little film that flows back and forth between characters seamlessly. Filled with laughs over things you know you shouldn't be laughing at, but they are so ....
No slick filming, just down home, small town life and it's filmed that way.
I could have done without the character Olivia Newton-John played, but she was funny while doing it! And it isn't her fault, the character just seems to be something tossed in because she was there.
While it's funny, it has some things to say. Enjoy!
No slick filming, just down home, small town life and it's filmed that way.
I could have done without the character Olivia Newton-John played, but she was funny while doing it! And it isn't her fault, the character just seems to be something tossed in because she was there.
While it's funny, it has some things to say. Enjoy!
Just like Sunday's at Mamaw's house
rcltrh30 November 2004
One of the funniest movies I have ever seen. We've watched it so many times we know the lines by heart. These people are all in my family, and I've often wanted to holler out myself to some of my relatives "Shoot her Wardel, shoot her in the head." I can relate to being gay in a small southern town.
My partner and I are gay in Arkansas, although they have just tried to pass a law to prevent us from being so. But for some reason "It ain't a workin" and there are more of us coming out now that the election's over than before. You'll laugh til you cry when Brother Boy sings Til I Can make it on My Own to the psycho with a fish in her ear - although I do not believe this was one of her "early years" songs. Watch it 10 times and then you can pretend you're in the cast.
My partner and I are gay in Arkansas, although they have just tried to pass a law to prevent us from being so. But for some reason "It ain't a workin" and there are more of us coming out now that the election's over than before. You'll laugh til you cry when Brother Boy sings Til I Can make it on My Own to the psycho with a fish in her ear - although I do not believe this was one of her "early years" songs. Watch it 10 times and then you can pretend you're in the cast.
worth the wait
spacedawg49 June 2002
My girlfriend and I saw trailers and the great website for Sordid Lives over a year ago and couldn't wait to see it. We kept checking back to see if it had finally made it's way out to us in LA every so often and had begun to figure we'd have to wait for the dvd release. Then driving today we saw it playing at a little house on LaBrea and hit up the next showing.
This film was well worth the wait. It's true that the camera work isn't flashy and it's easy to tell it was adapted from a play. But all the great characters and witty dialogue are so engaging you hardly notice. The whole cast does and excellent job and I honestly haven't laughed during a film this much since Waiting for Guffman. Although I think the film may be more targeted at gay audiences there seems to be something for everyone in this. Rarely have I seen a movie that managed to be this funny while being touching and real at the same time without seeming completely contrived and cheesy.
This film was well worth the wait. It's true that the camera work isn't flashy and it's easy to tell it was adapted from a play. But all the great characters and witty dialogue are so engaging you hardly notice. The whole cast does and excellent job and I honestly haven't laughed during a film this much since Waiting for Guffman. Although I think the film may be more targeted at gay audiences there seems to be something for everyone in this. Rarely have I seen a movie that managed to be this funny while being touching and real at the same time without seeming completely contrived and cheesy.
Best-kept secret in filmdom?
dawoloch9 April 2002
We found out about "Sordid Lives" earlier this year while visiting Palm Springs, where it had been playing for many weeks (maybe it still is...?)
We loved it! I'm not a film reviewer, and the only reason for this note is to wonder out loud why film has not been released on video. Could it be because it's still packing 'em in (in very select theaters and festivals) or because the distributor doesn't think the video will sell?
And it's not just a "gay" movie, even though there are a lot of gay issues presented. There are all kinds of issues--social, cultural, regional, economic, alcoholic, disability---you name it. The cast is superb. As for its "Politically Incorrectness?" Take this up with Bill Maher....
dw
We loved it! I'm not a film reviewer, and the only reason for this note is to wonder out loud why film has not been released on video. Could it be because it's still packing 'em in (in very select theaters and festivals) or because the distributor doesn't think the video will sell?
And it's not just a "gay" movie, even though there are a lot of gay issues presented. There are all kinds of issues--social, cultural, regional, economic, alcoholic, disability---you name it. The cast is superb. As for its "Politically Incorrectness?" Take this up with Bill Maher....
dw
Its funny but is VERY vicious and cruel
preppy-314 August 2012
An old womans (Peggy Hickey) death in a small Texas town sets off a firestorm within the family. Her sister Sissy Hickey (Beth Grant) tries to calm down Peggy's children--uptight Latrelle (a wonderful Bonnie Bedelia) and sassy Lavonda (Ann Walker). Also Latrelle wants her gay son Ty (Kirk Geiger) to come to Texas for the funeral...but he's out in LA and never told anyone he's gay and is sick of keeping it a secret. Then there's Peggy's son Brother Boy (Leslie Jordan) was has been institutionalized because he's gay. THEN there's G.W. (Beau Bridges) who was cheating on his wife Noleta (Delta Burke) with Peggy and feels guilty about her death.
This played all summer long back in 2002 in Provincetown MA (a small town with a large gay population during the summer). I never saw it there but got it on DVD the next year at the urging of some friends. THEN it just sat on my shelf for ten years till I watched it last night. My friends kept saying it's an unheralded masterpiece. You know what? They're wrong. It's really not that good. It DOES have some funny parts and the acting was great all around especially by Bedelia, Burke and Geiger (who it seems has quit show business--this was his last film to date). There's also a scene with Geiger and several totally nude men which some people may enjoy. Olivia Newton-John pops up also singing a few songs (especially the title song which is great). But, I found this more caustic and vicious than funny. The constant screaming and yelling got annoying and the treatment of Brother Boy at the institution was just horrific. Also the eccentric residents of a small Texas town are easy targets and have been done many times before. Maybe if I saw it with an audience it would work better (it was a big hit in PTown and Palm Springs) but, as it is, I was not impressed. A 6 all the way.
This played all summer long back in 2002 in Provincetown MA (a small town with a large gay population during the summer). I never saw it there but got it on DVD the next year at the urging of some friends. THEN it just sat on my shelf for ten years till I watched it last night. My friends kept saying it's an unheralded masterpiece. You know what? They're wrong. It's really not that good. It DOES have some funny parts and the acting was great all around especially by Bedelia, Burke and Geiger (who it seems has quit show business--this was his last film to date). There's also a scene with Geiger and several totally nude men which some people may enjoy. Olivia Newton-John pops up also singing a few songs (especially the title song which is great). But, I found this more caustic and vicious than funny. The constant screaming and yelling got annoying and the treatment of Brother Boy at the institution was just horrific. Also the eccentric residents of a small Texas town are easy targets and have been done many times before. Maybe if I saw it with an audience it would work better (it was a big hit in PTown and Palm Springs) but, as it is, I was not impressed. A 6 all the way.
Ensemble comedy with one terrific performance...
moonspinner5518 August 2007
Del Shores directed and wrote this adaptation of his own play about how an elderly woman's (comical) accidental death causes her family and friends to rue her passing while digging up ancient misgivings. Low-budget film played the Palm Springs movie circuit for months but didn't hit many other towns; easy to see why, it's rather like an R-rated sitcom lost on the big screen. While Shores isn't exactly erratic as a director, he's possibly too flexible with his material and his group of actors, and the movie sometimes resembles nothing more than a stunt. There's not much plot (it's just an exercise in showcasing the worst possible sides of humanity for a dirty laugh), yet some good things do come out of this. Leslie Jordan pulls off a difficult transvestite role with un-self-conscious relish; not played for pitiable sympathy or all-out laughs, Jordan's Tammy Wynette-worshipping drag queen amiably walks a fine line--it's a portrayal dead-on in its accuracy, and Jordan is never a pain like the other characters. Delta Burke and Bonnie Bedelia visibly strain to punch up their scenes, while Olivia Newton-John opens the picture with a rousing song but is given nothing else important to do. Too many of the gags are recycled, rehashed and rerun, and the jokes tend to stem from various humiliations. Strictly as a curiosity, the movie certainly lives up to its oddball reputation, and there are some outré laughs for those in the proper spirit. ** from ****
Funny, kind, hip and in its 23rd week in Palm Springs, CA
mandy-121 April 2002
I saw this with my 30-something son who asked, still smiling, as we came out of the theater, "How long do you think they took to make that?" "About a week," I answered and I'll bet they had the time of their lives."
Sordid Lives manages to be sweet, glib, compassionate, irreverent, moving and very funny on an obvious shoe string budget. A triumph over crash 'em up Hollywood and stale romance flicks.
See it in a theater if you can, the group amusement is a pleasure to share.
Sordid Lives manages to be sweet, glib, compassionate, irreverent, moving and very funny on an obvious shoe string budget. A triumph over crash 'em up Hollywood and stale romance flicks.
See it in a theater if you can, the group amusement is a pleasure to share.
Adaptation - play on film
jeffdstockton29 May 2021
Del Shores adaptation definitely shows it's origin as a stage play. This movie seems to evoke strong reactions in both directions - love it or hate it. It does seem realistic to a lot of us who have exposure to southern families (if that sounds like stereotyping, this glove fits reality).
Good cast, very good performances. Though it's close to over-written, I think it lands more in realism. It's funny. Yes, it's edgy, bitter, maybe a bit mean.
Take it for what is, without expectations that Del Shore never intended. It's thorough, finely detailed, perfectly acted (except for the young male lead...). It's worth your time, and deserves good ratings.
Good cast, very good performances. Though it's close to over-written, I think it lands more in realism. It's funny. Yes, it's edgy, bitter, maybe a bit mean.
Take it for what is, without expectations that Del Shore never intended. It's thorough, finely detailed, perfectly acted (except for the young male lead...). It's worth your time, and deserves good ratings.
why did they even bother?
witness-74 April 2003
It's difficult to be sure why this movie was ever made. It does not seem to have much of any point. The comedy tries to hard and stretches too much to even come close to working. Without the comedy working, any remaining plot or other structure seems embarrasingly absent.
The one highlight of the film is the performance by Beth Grant as Sissy. She masters her role here, injecting hilarious inflection and mannerisms to the film ... even where the scriptwriters have fallen flat (which is the norm for this movie). Bonnie Bedelia's Latrelle and Ann Walker's La Vonda are also good performances, though not as memorable. Leslie Jordan plays his role of Brother Boy well also, but unfortunately his character is more annoying than shocking or interesting.
As for the movies major failures, there are too many to count. For one personal bias, I have to confess that I thought "Best in Show" and "Spinal Tap" were excellent, funny movies, while "Waiting for Guffman" was a complete bore and forced its laughs too hard (and they weren't very funny). Like "Waiting for Guffman", this movie relies heavily on your capacity to find the mere existence of small-town, backwoods people hilarious at face value. If you're not convinced by this premise, the caricatures are too over-the-top and annoying.
Watching this film was like watching old films where merely playing an alcoholic -- a la Foster Brooks on the Dean Martin Roasts -- was the entire foundation for comedy. Here the court jesters are rednecks, but it takes a lot more than caricatures to make good comedy. The result is a movie that comes off like a more deviant episode of "Mama's Family"... just replace Carol Burnett with Bonnie Bedelia.
There are two gay sub-plots to this movie that really seem to have no real connection other than the writers came up with the hair-brained formula of, "take rednecks (=funny); add gays (=funnier)". But at the same time, the movie tries to put on this gay acceptance posture at the same time it's also trying to use gayness as a laugh reflex. Hypocritical.
And why bother with Olivia Newton John at all? Talk about pointless window-dressing.
I lost patience with this film once the focus was off Beth Grant, and the rest of the film careened like a ghost-riding semi down a cliff.
If you think rednecks and gayness are comedic in their own right, you may think this is a great film. But if not, chances are that you'll find this movie doesn't have a wooden leg to stand on. Despite some redeeming performances, this was unquestionably among the 2-3 worst movies I've seen among the past 50.
The one highlight of the film is the performance by Beth Grant as Sissy. She masters her role here, injecting hilarious inflection and mannerisms to the film ... even where the scriptwriters have fallen flat (which is the norm for this movie). Bonnie Bedelia's Latrelle and Ann Walker's La Vonda are also good performances, though not as memorable. Leslie Jordan plays his role of Brother Boy well also, but unfortunately his character is more annoying than shocking or interesting.
As for the movies major failures, there are too many to count. For one personal bias, I have to confess that I thought "Best in Show" and "Spinal Tap" were excellent, funny movies, while "Waiting for Guffman" was a complete bore and forced its laughs too hard (and they weren't very funny). Like "Waiting for Guffman", this movie relies heavily on your capacity to find the mere existence of small-town, backwoods people hilarious at face value. If you're not convinced by this premise, the caricatures are too over-the-top and annoying.
Watching this film was like watching old films where merely playing an alcoholic -- a la Foster Brooks on the Dean Martin Roasts -- was the entire foundation for comedy. Here the court jesters are rednecks, but it takes a lot more than caricatures to make good comedy. The result is a movie that comes off like a more deviant episode of "Mama's Family"... just replace Carol Burnett with Bonnie Bedelia.
There are two gay sub-plots to this movie that really seem to have no real connection other than the writers came up with the hair-brained formula of, "take rednecks (=funny); add gays (=funnier)". But at the same time, the movie tries to put on this gay acceptance posture at the same time it's also trying to use gayness as a laugh reflex. Hypocritical.
And why bother with Olivia Newton John at all? Talk about pointless window-dressing.
I lost patience with this film once the focus was off Beth Grant, and the rest of the film careened like a ghost-riding semi down a cliff.
If you think rednecks and gayness are comedic in their own right, you may think this is a great film. But if not, chances are that you'll find this movie doesn't have a wooden leg to stand on. Despite some redeeming performances, this was unquestionably among the 2-3 worst movies I've seen among the past 50.
Pure laughs
budikavlan8 September 2002
As a rule, I hate superlatives, but this is one of the 4 or 5 funniest movies I've ever seen. Everyone in the cast is excellent, though I have to single out Beth Grant and Leslie Jordan, who give the greatest performances of their great careers (so far). The only shortcoming of the film is the Ty-in-L.A. scenes. They aren't really bad per se, but "coming out angst" scenes appeal to virtually no one besides the screenwriter. If you're gay, you're sick of them, and if you aren't, they either offend you or mean nothing to you. They should've been left out (or at least scaled back). Fortunately, they're over after a while and we can get on to the comedy peak of the show--the funeral, which is hysterical. This movie played for months in cities around the country, and for good reason.
They just don't get it
Ric-723 March 2003
Obviously this is a very ragged film--an adaptation of a stage play that retains most of the character of its origin. The transition from stage to film and now to video is complicated by the fact that the cinematography (or videography)was rather erratic. Often there were scenes between two characters when no one was fully visible--both characters were off the edges of the screen, like a bad pan-and-scan. Technically, this film/video was a mess.
However, I think the material will resonate with anyone having a connection to small-town Southern life and particularly the gay experience of small-town Southern life. I howled, if not screamed, with laughter. That this film played for months in Palm Springs only confirms my belief, where there are few natives and many expatriates.
The writer apparently knows well the topics he addresses--compare (for wretched example) the writing in "Sweet Home Alabama", written by someone who has probably had no experience with the South other than viewing Gone With The Wind. Don't complain about "over the top" acting in a madcap comedy. Should we expect "Sex In The City" subtlety from a comedy set in small-town Texas? Give me a major break. This is not Larry McMurtry.
The strengths of the movie were the outrageous scenes--I found Tammy Wynette more touching than the subtle scenes which had that actual intent. Not that I know people who speak in one-liners, but I know these people. Don't tell me that the writer does not care about his characters
To avoid disappointment: Delta Burke is in this film. If that scares you, don't rent it. Otherwise, you'll love it.
However, I think the material will resonate with anyone having a connection to small-town Southern life and particularly the gay experience of small-town Southern life. I howled, if not screamed, with laughter. That this film played for months in Palm Springs only confirms my belief, where there are few natives and many expatriates.
The writer apparently knows well the topics he addresses--compare (for wretched example) the writing in "Sweet Home Alabama", written by someone who has probably had no experience with the South other than viewing Gone With The Wind. Don't complain about "over the top" acting in a madcap comedy. Should we expect "Sex In The City" subtlety from a comedy set in small-town Texas? Give me a major break. This is not Larry McMurtry.
The strengths of the movie were the outrageous scenes--I found Tammy Wynette more touching than the subtle scenes which had that actual intent. Not that I know people who speak in one-liners, but I know these people. Don't tell me that the writer does not care about his characters
To avoid disappointment: Delta Burke is in this film. If that scares you, don't rent it. Otherwise, you'll love it.
Should never been made into a film
CSIshowfan21 November 2002
I saw the play in which this film is based many years ago in Los Angeles. For a play in los Angeles it wasn't the worst thing I ever saw, it had a few moments of laughter. My wife enjoyed the play so she took me (kicking and screaming) to see the film. This story should have left on the stage where it belongs. It doesn't adapt well on the big screen and the acting/writing/dialogue/vanity run amok are just too crazy to be funny or make any sense at all. Everything smells of a high school production. Get a bunch of actors in a room, have them act really crazy, get your neighbor's camera, and your in business.
A real love-it-or-hate-it cult flick
TelevisionJunkie12 July 2003
Right off the bat, I'd like to say that I'm one of the admirers of this film. I'm gay, I live in Texas, and these characters are my husband's hick family! But I can understand why the film's so oft hated. While the performances are all fantastic, the characters could be seen as stereotypical and/or annoying to those who've never dealt with or cannot stand people like these. But stereotypical as they seem, these characters truly DO exist. The film comes to an abrupt conclusion without a real resolution. But there's no real conclusion in life, and obviously Del Shores ripped these characters straight from the fabric of his life. As someone else said, if you don't get it in the first ten minutes, find another film -- this isn't for you. My best friend, who's straight but generally shares my taste, gave up on the film early because he said the characters epitomized everything he hates about my husband's family (which he's also married into).
As most everyone agrees, Beth Grant gave a phenomenal performance. As the neurotic sister of the recently-deceased matriarch of the family, Grant bounces from every emotion in the spectrum as she deals with death and nicotine withdrawal. Leslie Jordan chews on the scenery as Brother Boy, the transvestite who's been institutionalized for 22 years because of his cross-dressing fetish. Rosemary Alexander is deliciously wicked as Dr. Eve, the psychologist who's trying to convert Brother Boy to a life of heterosexuality. Delta Burke gives her campiest performance since "Filthy Rich" went off the air 20 years ago as a trailer-trash variation of Suzanne Sugarbaker. The one thing I have to say about Burke is that it took real balls for her to do her first few scenes without makeup whilst stuffing her face with food (and Valium). But she gets redemption when she arrives at the bar later looking fantastic (and it was great to see her reunited with Grant). Beau Bridges gives another standout performance as Burke's cheating husband, who inadvertently was responsible for the death of his much older lover. Bonnie Bedelia is fantastic as the status-concerned daughter who spends more time worrying about what people will think about the unusual circumstances surrounding her mother's death than she spends mourning. Kirk Geiger, the sanest of the bunch, is also a standout as Bedelia's estranged gay son, who sort of ties the film together. And then there's Olivia Newton-John, with a fabulous Southern accent, who proves that over 20 years after "Grease," she still looks great and really can act. It's a shame that her part was so small, but being the other sane one in the film, she also tied the story up by performing the campy theme song.
The coolest thing about this film is that all of the minor characters are just as interesting and well-defined as the leads. There's the animated bar-tramp, the redneck who sent his "little homo best friend packin' to the loony bin," the trashy daughter who tells it like it is, the estranged girlfriend of Geiger's character who always knew he was gay... Stereotypical or not, they all give great performances and they're all very real. Although it took 3 years for the film to find its way to DVD, and the disc is horrendously overpriced, it's well worth it for anyone who enjoys theatrical plays, outrageously well-defined characters or plain camp-factor.
As most everyone agrees, Beth Grant gave a phenomenal performance. As the neurotic sister of the recently-deceased matriarch of the family, Grant bounces from every emotion in the spectrum as she deals with death and nicotine withdrawal. Leslie Jordan chews on the scenery as Brother Boy, the transvestite who's been institutionalized for 22 years because of his cross-dressing fetish. Rosemary Alexander is deliciously wicked as Dr. Eve, the psychologist who's trying to convert Brother Boy to a life of heterosexuality. Delta Burke gives her campiest performance since "Filthy Rich" went off the air 20 years ago as a trailer-trash variation of Suzanne Sugarbaker. The one thing I have to say about Burke is that it took real balls for her to do her first few scenes without makeup whilst stuffing her face with food (and Valium). But she gets redemption when she arrives at the bar later looking fantastic (and it was great to see her reunited with Grant). Beau Bridges gives another standout performance as Burke's cheating husband, who inadvertently was responsible for the death of his much older lover. Bonnie Bedelia is fantastic as the status-concerned daughter who spends more time worrying about what people will think about the unusual circumstances surrounding her mother's death than she spends mourning. Kirk Geiger, the sanest of the bunch, is also a standout as Bedelia's estranged gay son, who sort of ties the film together. And then there's Olivia Newton-John, with a fabulous Southern accent, who proves that over 20 years after "Grease," she still looks great and really can act. It's a shame that her part was so small, but being the other sane one in the film, she also tied the story up by performing the campy theme song.
The coolest thing about this film is that all of the minor characters are just as interesting and well-defined as the leads. There's the animated bar-tramp, the redneck who sent his "little homo best friend packin' to the loony bin," the trashy daughter who tells it like it is, the estranged girlfriend of Geiger's character who always knew he was gay... Stereotypical or not, they all give great performances and they're all very real. Although it took 3 years for the film to find its way to DVD, and the disc is horrendously overpriced, it's well worth it for anyone who enjoys theatrical plays, outrageously well-defined characters or plain camp-factor.
Small Town Americana
Lechuguilla1 September 2007
Rather than being plot driven as in most films, "Sordid Lives" is character driven. Some ten to twelve main characters who live, or have lived, in a small town in West Texas chat, argue, hug, gossip, lament, reflect on, laugh at, debate, divulge, confer, confide in, and generally shoot the breeze, as they go about their drab existence, in preparation for a funeral. Adapted from a stage play, this film comedy is, not surprisingly, heavy on dialogue. The characters have their own unique quirks and personality idiosyncrasies, and are interesting for the most part.
Sissy (Beth Grant) is an older, fussy woman who stings herself with a rubber band on her arm, as a way to quit smoking. Latrelle (Bonnie Bedelia) and LaVonda (Ann Walker) are Sissy's two nieces who argue with each other about everything. Then you've got Noleta (Delta Burke), a tacky trailer park type married to G.W. (Beau Bridges), a man whose two wooden legs caused the death of Sissy's sister. Then there's Brother Boy (Leslie Jordan), Latrelle and LaVonda's brother, who is confined to an institution because he is a flaming transvestite who dresses like Tammy Wynette. Brother Boy is a hoot in that bizarre outfit, and with that deadpan expression and slow Texas nasal twang. To complicate matters, Latrelle's son Ty (Kirk Geiger), is a gay actor who is trying to recover from his boyhood in provincial West Texas.
I liked the first half of the film better than the second half, which trends in the direction of plot absurdity, as two characters enter a bar with guns, and one character threatens to set fire to himself.
With its absence of background music, its exaggerated acting (over the top at times), its indoor sets, and absence of scene transitions at times, "Sordid Lives" feels very much like a TV sitcom. The costumes are colorful and charmingly tacky. Cinematography is conventional. Olivia Newton-John sings a couple of gospel hymns. But I could have wished for more country/western music.
If the film has one overall weakness I would say that it is its flamboyance. Characters, dialogue, acting and plot tend to be overstated; there's almost no subtlety. It's like they were trying a little too hard.
Still, the down-home humor renders lots of laughs for viewers. And underneath all the hubbub, these characters have genuine heart and soul. "Sordid Lives", ultimately, is a film whose theme is love and acceptance.
Sissy (Beth Grant) is an older, fussy woman who stings herself with a rubber band on her arm, as a way to quit smoking. Latrelle (Bonnie Bedelia) and LaVonda (Ann Walker) are Sissy's two nieces who argue with each other about everything. Then you've got Noleta (Delta Burke), a tacky trailer park type married to G.W. (Beau Bridges), a man whose two wooden legs caused the death of Sissy's sister. Then there's Brother Boy (Leslie Jordan), Latrelle and LaVonda's brother, who is confined to an institution because he is a flaming transvestite who dresses like Tammy Wynette. Brother Boy is a hoot in that bizarre outfit, and with that deadpan expression and slow Texas nasal twang. To complicate matters, Latrelle's son Ty (Kirk Geiger), is a gay actor who is trying to recover from his boyhood in provincial West Texas.
I liked the first half of the film better than the second half, which trends in the direction of plot absurdity, as two characters enter a bar with guns, and one character threatens to set fire to himself.
With its absence of background music, its exaggerated acting (over the top at times), its indoor sets, and absence of scene transitions at times, "Sordid Lives" feels very much like a TV sitcom. The costumes are colorful and charmingly tacky. Cinematography is conventional. Olivia Newton-John sings a couple of gospel hymns. But I could have wished for more country/western music.
If the film has one overall weakness I would say that it is its flamboyance. Characters, dialogue, acting and plot tend to be overstated; there's almost no subtlety. It's like they were trying a little too hard.
Still, the down-home humor renders lots of laughs for viewers. And underneath all the hubbub, these characters have genuine heart and soul. "Sordid Lives", ultimately, is a film whose theme is love and acceptance.
Brilliant adaptation of play. Beautifully acted & directed.
arlened3243 March 2002
The title turned me off. I had no idea what to expect, only that I was seeing a film that was not in wide release, for some reason I still don't understand.
With an amazing combination of humor and humanity, Del Shores, created a masterful portrait of a "wacky", dysfunctional (by whose definition?) family that eventually grew to know itself at its highest level.
The characters were broadly drawn, but due to the rich acting level caricature was avoided, and each character retained his or her humanity. Moreover, this film, originally a play, retained the intimate quality of a stage play that is often lost when a play is transferred to the screen.
"Sordid Lives" is for everyone & is not just a "feel good" homosexually oriented move. Don't understand why it wasn't more widely distributed because it's surely on my list of the 20 best films ever.
With an amazing combination of humor and humanity, Del Shores, created a masterful portrait of a "wacky", dysfunctional (by whose definition?) family that eventually grew to know itself at its highest level.
The characters were broadly drawn, but due to the rich acting level caricature was avoided, and each character retained his or her humanity. Moreover, this film, originally a play, retained the intimate quality of a stage play that is often lost when a play is transferred to the screen.
"Sordid Lives" is for everyone & is not just a "feel good" homosexually oriented move. Don't understand why it wasn't more widely distributed because it's surely on my list of the 20 best films ever.
If you like 'em painted up, powdered up !!
edluvsday1 March 2000
A trailer park treat. Rich in character's and dialogue. My favorite scene's were with Brother Boy and Dr. Eve Bolinger. His performance as the" Tammy Wynette transvestite" in therapy is not to be missed Fans of Oliva will not be disapointed. She is the towns Honky Tonk singer throughout the film. The subplot with Ty was a little tiresome...but the film is quite enjoyable
The Worst film ever
Ben007B45 October 2002
The only reason I sat through all of this film is because I kept falling asleep. I wonder how this film managed to be seen outside of the writer/director's bedroom. I was never involved in the story because there isn't much of one, it was way over acted (was their any direction at all for the actors?) and the film just looks bad. It's the worst film I have ever seen in my entire life.
Hilarious!
Analog_Devotee25 January 2021
VERY funny but a little past it...
mrsastor26 July 2005
I have to admit I could have died laughing watching this in the theater, but it might seem a bit more realistic if they had set it 20 year ago. Even in small town Texas, it is rather implausible today that someone would be incarcerated in a mental institution for cross-dressing! The majority of the characters ring very true to life if you, like I, are actually from small town Texas. You'll be identifying your aunts and grandmothers and cousins all over this movie. Indeed, the only unrealistic (and ANNOYING) character is, unfortunately, Ty, the central character who is more or less telling us this story. I found him to be a grossly uninteresting dullard, and I did not care at all about his silly psychiatric issues or his stupid naked theater production. I think this character was to give the "target audience" someone to identify with perhaps, but I would have liked the movie a lot better if his boring scenes on the analyst's couch had been slashed.
Having said that, there's not much else wrong at all here. This film is absolutely hilarious. It seems so over the top that one doesn't imagine it can be taken seriously, and yet it will manage to touch you and pull you in. Highly recommended.
Having said that, there's not much else wrong at all here. This film is absolutely hilarious. It seems so over the top that one doesn't imagine it can be taken seriously, and yet it will manage to touch you and pull you in. Highly recommended.
A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE and a good argument for keeping theater people out of the movies
nutsy23 October 2003
A lot of people seem to think this movie is funny. It's not. The humor is nearly over-the-top enough in some scenes to make John Waters appear subtle. The gay pride theme is embarrassingly overt and the homophobes are charactertures. Olivia Newton John has a small but shameful role as a Texan singer. One wonders why she would crawl out from under her rock to do this. The "sordid" situation of an old woman's embarrassing death and the family troubles with a closet-case son who sees a shrink and a transvestite brother in a mental hospital is all parody material drawn from the writer/director's life. I'm sure its very funny to him, but this movies "charm" made me want to eject the tape and roast it on an open fire. Its no surprise that the performances are stagey. The picture was shot (poorly) on what looks like video, making it tacky in more ways than one. A unlikable comedy with characters who try as hard as they can to amuse, resulting in a horrible irritation. Never watch a movie that shares a seven-year-old's fascination with the word "bitch". A little film that deserves no recognition.
Don't miss the special jewel!
cowboy-chef18 May 2002
We could not start the car once we reached it because we were laughing so hard. Yes, after 4 months of playing at this theathre it was packed for a 5:45 showing and most of the people were blue haired ladies. Well this was Palm Spings and it was the week before Memorial Day, but don't let the little old ladies stop you, they had found a very funny movie and you'll laugh for days afterwards.
Funny, Original
GusherPop20 April 2024
The film is a comedy that combines tragedy and comedy, aiming to maintain sympathy for the hardships faced by rural American small-town residents. It takes lessons from soap operas, John Waters, and TV movies that pretend to sympathize with queer people, melodrama, and real life. Even in its campiest moments, there is a bit of truth that makes it feel right. The film's characters, such as Latrelle and Sissy, ring true to those who have lived their entire life in the South. The soundtrack, featuring Tammy Wynette, is perfect for the tone, with her sad personal fate and mournful twang making her a perfect blend of country and drag. The film also features deeper cuts than "Stand By Your Man," sealing the message. Despite its flaws, the film manages to make a remarkable statement on being queer, being Southern, and being "white trash." The film's humor and deep cuts make it a memorable experience for viewers. While the mental hospital patients should not be treated as punchlines, the film's ability to convey the depths of the lives of its characters makes it a memorable experience. "Sordid Lives" by John Shores is a mixed-reception film, with some parts being overly dramatic and others uncomfortably portrayed. The film features Olivia Newton-John, Beau Bridges, and Bonnie Bedelia, and starts with a cartoon tone. However, the characters are real and relatable, with the most fully-realized character being Leslie Jordan's cross-dressing Brother Boy. The film could have been a travesty if not directed by Del Shores, but Shores' confidence in the piece makes it work. The film starts over the top and goes further with every scene, making it a fun and entertaining experience.
Absolutely Rock Bottom
stronzetto13 March 2003
This movie is painfully bad. The characters are incredibly insulting. Not a single one seems like a real human being; they are all cartoonish. The story ranges from unrealistic, to sappy, to simply boring.
What a waste of film.
What a waste of film.
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