A Dirty Shame

Watch A Dirty Shame

"Threatening the very limits of common decency."
  • R
  • 2004
  • 1 hr 29 min
  • 5.1  (13,482)
  • 56

A Dirty Shame is a 2004 American comedy movie, directed and written by John Waters. The film is a throwback to Waters' older, zanier works and features a bevy of oddball characters, celebrity cameos, and outrageous sexual humor. The main character of the movie is Sylvia Stickles, played by Tracey Ullman, a bored, uptight housewife with a bland life and seemingly no sexual impulses whatsoever. However, an accident in town one day leaves her with a head injury that awakens her long-dormant libido, and sends her on a wild journey of sexual exploration.

At first, Sylvia is confused and horrified by her newfound desires, which prompt her to engage in acts like public masturbation and humping people's legs. But soon, she finds herself drawn into the bizarre local subculture of sex addicts, led by a charismatic and flamboyant man named Ray-Ray, played by Johnny Knoxville.

As Sylvia's addiction to sex grows, so does the tension between her and her family, who are all disgusted by her behavior. Her husband, Vaughn, played by Chris Isaak, becomes a self-proclaimed "sexual evangelist" who tries to convert people to his conservative way of thinking, while her daughter, Caprice, played by Selma Blair, is a go-go dancer with her own bizarre sexual fetishes.

The film is full of hilarious and absurd moments, with Waters packing in as much sexual innuendo and bad taste as possible. The eccentric characters that Sylvia meets on her journey include a woman who can only climax when she's hit in the head with a frying pan, a man who has a penis that extends like a party favor, and a woman who dresses up like a Tijuana donkey for donkey shows.

As the movie progresses, Sylvia and her family become increasingly at odds, with her addiction to sex driving them all to the brink of madness. But in the end, they all come together for a wild climax that involves a giant pile of trash, a gospel choir, and an explosion of sexual energy.

Overall, A Dirty Shame is a wacky, off-the-wall comedy that will shock and entertain those who are fans of John Waters' unique brand of humor. While some may find the movie offensive, it's clear that Waters is having a blast poking fun at sexual repression and societal norms, and the cast embodies this irreverent spirit wholeheartedly. With its over-the-top graphics, bright colors, and incredibly ridiculous cast of characters, A Dirty Shame is a film that will leave audiences both scandalized and highly amused.

A Dirty Shame is a 2004 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1 and a MetaScore of 56.

A Dirty Shame
Description
Where to Watch A Dirty Shame
A Dirty Shame is available to watch free on Kanopy. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent A Dirty Shame for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2004
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 29 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    5.1  (13,482)
  • Metascore
    56