Time: 86 Minutes
Age Rating: R16
Cast:
Divine as Francine Fishpaw
Tab Hunter as Todd Tomorrow
Edith Massey as Cuddles Kovinsky
David Samson as Elmer Fishpaw
Mary Garlington as Lu-Lu Fishpaw
Ken King as Dexter Fishpaw
Mink Stole as Sandra Sullivan
Joni Ruth White as La Rue
Hans Kramm as Heintz
Stiv Bators as Bo-Bo Belsinger
Director: John Waters

I heard a lot about John Waters, but hadn’t actually seen any of his movies yet. I had my opportunity to watch my first Waters movie when one of them played at my local film society. That movie is Polyester, which is apparently one of his more mainstream films, and it definitely had me interested to watch more of his work.

The best way I can describe Polyester is that it’s a melodramatic and absurdist satire on the suburban lifestyle and nuclear family. It takes an outlandish approach; it is over the top, campy, chaotic, full of dark comedy and unexpected gags with wacky one liners. It entertained me throughout, even if it took me a while to get in sync with the movie, and it ended in a fitting way.

The performances are at the right level for this movie. Divine is really great in the lead role, she’s funny and sells the tone. Tab Hunter and Edith Massey also are good in supporting roles.

The direction of John Waters has a lot of energy, the production design and costumes are at the right level for the movie, and the music is on the nose in the best way.

Polyester is darkly comic, campy and wonderfully over the top and trashy. Again, I am curious to watch more movies from John Waters after this.