Sordid Lives (2000)

After many viewings, this has become my favorite movie. I was born in Mississippi, so I can detect semblances of relatives in all the characters! Beth Grant is a gem, probably the best actress to ever play a deep south character. If you watch repeatedly you start to appreciate the nuances of the phrasing, the gestures, and facial expression. Newton-John's singing is pivotal in the staging of important scenes. I would think "Ain't It a Bitch" would make a great song to sing in taverns and hillbilly bars to get the action flowing, and her song in the credits is fantastic. Don't know why it wasn't pushed to be a pop hit. All the actors are superb, fleshing out their characters with great aplomb. Relatives getting together for a funeral provides a great premise for messages of self-acceptance, being non-judgmental, spotting hypocrisy, being fabulous, and seeing the absurdity and joy of life even in an atmosphere of death. Good show!

I got this DVD on the 'recommendation' of Amazon...normally I wouldn't touch anything they try to sell me, but it looked like it could be an interesting movie, what with ONJ and all. Well, am I ever glad I got it..This is a seriously funny movie, and not a little bizarre maybe that's why the humor is so good? Lesbians, Transvestites and more, and all done in the worst possible taste! Coupled with the Tammy Wynettee music in the soundtrack it all adds up to a great and camp movie. Although I do like Olivia Newton John, she is really a bit superfluous here, and I have to say that the songs she sings aren't of the best quality..but..If you want a really good laugh, get this. It will probably appeal more to gay viewers, but my mom enjoyed it!

I took a chance on buying this DVD on Amazon after it was recommended to me based on other DVD's I had bought. When I received it and popped it in, I was immediately homesick. I am from San Antonio Texas and a lot of the situations brought it home to me. The mother is my mother, with the nails, the hair, the makeup. Ha Ha Ha Aunt Sissy reminded very much of the aunts in my family as well. And yes, in my part of the state the women do not knock but they do yell "woohoo!" The acting was wonderful and it really was an experience. I have taken to showing this movie to friends every chance I get and everyone has liked it. I wish another movie would come out with these actors, especially Beth Grant and the Bonnie B. I understand that this movie has created a following in California, and it's easy to see why.

I saw the movie with friends, and immediately went out the next day and bought it. I guess one would have to be raised in the South to appreciate the wonderful writing of Del Shores and his subtle (and not-so-subtle) references to deep-south living. Let's face it, if you live down here, the question is not which side of your family has the crazy people on it, it's which side has the *most* crazy people on it, and I can relate to nearly every character in the movie.And while it makes light of the goings-on of a white-trash family and how they come to terms with the death of their matriarch, the underlying story of Ty coming out to his family is simply precious. Anyone that is battling with the process of coming out and the right way and time to do it should definitely watch the film.