Polyester (1981)
“This whole world stinks, Francine, so get used to it!”
Synopsis: |
Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:
Response to Peary’s Review: I’m more or less in agreement with Peary’s assessment, which highlights the trajectory Waters’s films would take from then on: Hairspray (1988) — featuring Divine in his final performance before his premature death at the age of 42 — was made into a Tony-winning Broadway musical (which was then turned into a film of the musical based on the film…); Cry-Baby (1990) starred big-name Johnny Depp and was likewise turned into a Tony-nominated Broadway musical; and then — thankfully — Serial Mom (1994) became Waters’s most deliciously mainstream yet subversive film of his later career. Polyester is most notable for its satirical send-up of Sirkian “women’s pictures”, and for its homage to William Castle by featuring “Odorama”, with the following scratch and sniff smells available to audience members: 1. Roses, 2. Flatulence, 3. Model Airplane Glue, 4. Pizza, 5. Gasoline, 6. Skunk, 7. Natural Gas, 8. New Car Smell, 9. Dirty Shoes, and 10. Air Freshener. Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
One thought on “Polyester (1981)”
Not must-see – though Waters fans will likely have a certain fondness for it.
I don’t think I could sit through this again for the purpose of making this post a fresh view. If I recall, I did actually watch it again sometime within the last 3 years – and was reminded that I don’t feel it’s one of the director’s stronger works.
I saw it on release in New York City. To a degree – because of the audience participation aspect with Odorama – there was a fair amount of group-dynamic fun. ~which is something separate from the film itself; if you’re watching it at home on DVD (alone or even with friends), that plus-element is likely to be lost.
Waters’ career eventually took a hit (‘Hairspray’, ‘Serial ‘Mom’) or miss (‘Cry-Baby’. ‘Pecker’, etc.) route until – it seems – his desire to make movies was simply played out. He has given us some truly inspired examples of hilarity – when he was truly inspired.