Desperate Living (1977)

1977 • 90 minutes
4.6
30 reviews
70%
Tomatometer
Eligible
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About this movie

Things get rocky at the Gravel household when paranoid Peggy Gravel (Mink Stole) and her murderous maid, Grizelda (Jean Hill), kill Peggy’s husband. They escape from the law, only to wind up in the crazy town of Mortville, where Queen Carlotta (Edith Massey) presides over a sleazy collection of misfits, including the vivacious Muffy St. Jacques (Liz Renay). When the queen disinherits her daughter, Princess Coo-Coo (Mary Vivian Pearce), the citizens of Mortville decide that it’s time for a few changes!

Ratings and reviews

4.6
30 reviews
Beverly Beam
July 24, 2015
I am quite unsure how and why I was able to watch this entire movie? This was a low budget, exaggerated mess of chaos! The beginning had some funny moments, but it quickly goes south from there. Waste of $ to watch. Have no idea where the writer/director were going with this TRASHY film? I cannot even appreciate it for its art! Only thing I can appreciate was the nudity this movie provided...and that's not saying much.
Meow Mix
January 20, 2022
Magnificent. I just watched it for the first time and I think it's my new favorite John Waters movie. It was hilarious and shocking and unpredictable unlike most movies today. I highly recommend 👌 ☺
A Google user
October 28, 2018
My fave depraved movie. The first John Waters film I'd seen. Borrowed it from the library several times. I use it to judge new friends. If they like it, I know they are my sort of people