Trash (1970)

Director:

Paul Morrissey

Writer:

Paul Morrissey (writer)

Release Date:

18 February 1971 (West Germany)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Infidelity | Nudity | Male Frontal Nudity | Drug Addict | Pregnant Woman Nude

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Joe Dallesandro	...	Joe
Holly Woodlawn	...	Holly
Geri Miller	...	Geri, the go-go dancer
Andrea Feldman	...	Rich Girl
John Putnam	...	Johnny (as Johnny Putnam)
Jane Forth	...	Jane
Bruce Pecheur	...	Bruce
Diane Podel	...	Holly's Sister
Roberto D'Alessandro	...	Rob (as Rob d'Alesandro)
Michael Sklar	...	Mr. Michaels

Also Known As:

Andy Warhol's Trash (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:18 (video rating) (2005) | UK:18 (video rating) (1991) (1996) (cut) | UK:X (re-rating) (1972) (cut) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | Australia:R | Canada:(Banned) (Nova Scotia) | Finland:(Banned) (1972) | France:-16 (re-rating) | France:X (original rating) (cut) | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 (video rating) (1991) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:Unrated | Canada:18+ (Quebec) | USA:R | Germany:18

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Filmfactory

Trivia:

Oscar-winner 'Sissy Spacek, an unknown at the time, appeared in "Trash," although her scene was later cut. Spacek has said of the experience, "I was in Andy's 'Trash' when I was a teenager....I didn't mind [that the scene was cut], because I really saw myself as a singer. I went under the name Rainbo. I had this single called 'John Lennon, You Went Too Far This Time,' about John and Yoko posing nude on their album cover."

Quotes:

[first lines]
Joe: It don't do anything, Geri.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Superstar: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol (1990)

Arguably Paul Morrissey's best film

I became familiar with the Paul Morrissey-Joe Dallesandro trilogy by watching "Flesh". I loved it, but there were many flaws that could not be overlooked (i.e., forgettable acting, bad editing and sound, boring intervals in plot). I did expect better with "Trash" and it delivered more than I wished for.

Joe Dallesandro gives another fantastic performance as a junkie who will do anything for heroin. But unlike his appearance in "Flesh", Joe barely creates any sexual longing from the audience. The plotline is simple: Joe wants heroin, his girlfriend Holly wants welfare, and you get to see some strange characters and situations as they try to reach their goal(s). Morrissey produced several winning actors in "Flesh", one of which was Geri Miller as a ditzy but lovable stripper. Geri plays another ditzy but lovable stripper and is just as good, if not better, here. For those of you who remember hearing her conversation about choosing between plant juice or silicone for her breast implants, you can't help but wonder which she picked, for in a stripping sequence, Geri's breasts are noticeably larger. It is in this film that I noticed Morrissey's casting is similar to that of John Waters: Morrissey-Geri Miller; Waters-Cookie Mueller Morrissey-Jane Forth; Waters-Mary Vivian Pearce Morrissey-Andrea Feldman; Waters-Edith Massey (in the "where the hell did they come from?" category)

Candy Darling and Jackie Curtis are gone from the cast, but to take both of their places is Holly Woodlawn, who steals the film from absolutely everybody! She was supposed to have been nominated for an Oscar for her performance in this film, but because Holly is a transvestite, there was questioning as to which category? She is fabulous, better than any other Warhol star before or since, and is both hilarious and heartbreaking. Andrea Feldman is a wild, outrageous character actress and while her voice is annoying, her personality is interesting. Jane Forth, a 16-year-old actress, has an equally annoying voice, but her performance as a talkative rich snob is great. Other notable appearances include Johnny Putnam, who was Holly Woodlawn's 16-year-old boyfriend, as a teen looking for dope and Michael Sklar as the welfare officer. Diane Podlewski as Holly's pregnant sister and Bruce Pecheur as Jane's husband aren't as memorable.

"Trash" features better editing style, better sound quality, better improvised dialogue, better stylistic camerawork, great sets, and a MUCH better ensemble cast. I would recommend this film more than any other Morrissey film besides perhaps "Blood for Dracula". Highly recommended!