Dirty Shame, A

Synopsis: Sylvia Stickles (Tracey Ullman), lacklustre and libido-less housewife, receives a minor concussion in a car accident. Helped out by towie Ray-Ray (Johnny Knoxville), she soon finds out (with his help) that she is now a raving sex addict. Ray-Ray is a sexual healer and leads a group of disciples all with the same happy affliction. As sexual mania threatens to take over the conservative suburbs, Sylvia's husband Vaughan (Chris Isaak) is delighted, exhibitionist daughter Caprice (Selma Blair) is happy to have an ally, whilst Sylvia's mother, Big Ethel, (Suzanne Shepherd) leads the wowser backlash.

Wowser alert!! Don't see this film if you are easily offended. However if you want to see something off-the-scale, rude, crude, disgusting and very funny (if that's your style of humour), check it out. Waters is renowned for his hi-camp, transgressive and somewhat deranged films such as Pink Flamingoes and this one is no exception.

Waters manages to poke fun at the element of society that feels sex is a dirty thing. Proudly calling themselves "Neuters", the conservatives hold uptight and disapproving morality meetings which Waters lampoons mercilessly. He also has plenty of fun with various sexual fetishes (none of them too outrageous), including very hairy gay men aka "bears", the local cop who likes to dress as a baby, mysophiliacs who are attracted to dirt, and "sploshers" who revel in the combination of food and their private parts!

Ullman is downright hilarious as Sylvia. A deft hand at physical comedy, she oscillates between the raging nymphomaniac and back again to drabsville after subsequent recurring hits on the head. Selma Blair is deliciously wanton as Caprice, aka Ursula Udders, who has been locked up by her parents for constantly flaunting her ginormous boobs (fake, thankfully for the actress). Knoxville brings lascivious flair to sexy Ray-Ray, especially as he leads the fray with the Addicts' theme anthem "Let's Go Sexin'". The rest of the cast join in the fun, with a surprising appearance by Patricia Hearst (of kidnapping fame) as one of the Addicts.

Waters did quite a bit of research for this film, studying sexual slang expressions, fetishes, and AA 12-step programs. In fact the basic premise was the result of an article Waters read claiming that a few head injury sufferers, after their concussion, have a carnal lust they cannot control. Throw in a selection of ambiguously titled songs such as The Pussy Cat Song, Tony's Got Hot Nuts and Eager Beaver Baby, some of them done in true-blue country and western style, and you have a recipe for a ridiculous, raunchy and fun night at the flicks.

 

 

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