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A Dirty Shame (2004)

NC-17 | | Comedy | 24 September 2004 (USA)
A Dirty Shame Poster
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An uptight, middle-aged, repressed woman turns into a sex addict after getting hit on the head, and she then falls into an underground subculture of sex addicts in suburban Baltimore.

Director:

John Waters

Writer:

John Waters

Stars:

Tracey Ullman, Chris Isaak, Selma Blair | See full cast & crew »
56
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tracey Ullman ... Sylvia
Johnny Knoxville ... Ray Ray
Selma Blair ... Caprice
Chris Isaak ... Vaughn
Suzanne Shepherd ... Big Ethel
Mink Stole ... Marge The Neuter
Patricia Hearst ... Paige
Jackie Hoffman ... Dora
Nick Noble Nick Noble ... Weird Paperboy (as Nicholas E.I. Noble)
Lucy Newman-Williams Lucy Newman-Williams ... Neuter Yuppie Woman
Scott Morgan Scott Morgan ... Neuter Yuppie Man
Wes Johnson ... Fat Fuck Frank
David A. Dunham ... Mama Bear
David Moretti David Moretti ... Papa Bear (as Dave Moretti)
Jeffrey Auerbach Jeffrey Auerbach ... Baby Bear
See full cast »
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Storyline

Middle-aged, sexually repressed Sylvia Stickles is the subject of this John Water's film, set in North Baltimore. She refuses to have sex with her husband, Vaughn Stickles, and keeps her overly-endowed daughter, Caprice, locked in her room, while she serves home detention for moral depravity charges. Sylvia, together with her mother Big Ethel, lead a group calling themselves "neuters" that promotes decency on Harford Road. When Sylvia is accidentally hit on the head by a lawnmower hanging out of a passing pick-up truck, however, her sexual behavior is changed completely from prude to prostitute. She meets the sex addicted sexual healer Ray Ray Perkins, becoming his twelfth apostle of sex in a journey of pleasure and orgasm. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

lust | prostitute | go go dancer | male pubic hair | nudist | See All (245) »

Taglines:

Threatening the very limits of common decency.

Genres:

Comedy

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated NC-17 for pervasive sexual content | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 September 2004 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Adictos al sexo See more »

Filming Locations:

Maryland, USA See more »
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Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$29,384, 19 September 2004, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,339,668, 7 November 2004
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fine Line Features,This Is That Productions,Killer Films See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (R-rated)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

In order to play a part of a stripper with enlarged breasts, Selma Blair had to be fitted with a pair of prosthetic devices. See more »

Goofs

Before running out of gas, the car is turned off and in park but is still driving. See more »

Quotes

Neuter Old Maid: [to Big Ethel] I heard your daughter Sylvia picked up a bottle with her cooter in the old folks' home!
See more »

Alternate Versions

The Theratrical Release Of The film was the original NC-17 version.For the VHS/DVD releases John Waters said that it will be released in the original NC-17 rated version and a cut R Rated Version. See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Hour: Episode #7.29 (2010) See more »

Soundtracks

The Hokey Pokey
Performed by Ray Anthony & The Ray Anthony Orchestra (as His Orchestra)
With vocals by Jo Ann Greer (as JoAnn Greer) and The Skyliners
Written by Taft Baker, Larry LaPrise and Charles P. Macak
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the differences between the R-Rated Version and the Unrated Version?
Q: Why don't the neuters just whack the addicts on the head to turn them normal? (And vice versa)
See more »

User Reviews

 
John Waters funniest film yet!
14 September 2004 | by JohnnyLarocque – See all my reviews

A DIRTY SHAME is the new film from John Waters, and arguably his funniest film yet. And by funny, I mean laugh out loud hilarious, start to finish. The only way you would not like this movie, is if you are easily offended. But, if you've ever intentionally gone to a John Waters film, my guess is that you are not, in fact.

The plot is pretty simple. Small town America is invaded by a bunch of sex addicts, each of their sexual quirks (from shelf humping to dirt worship) brought on by an accidental blow to the head. The whole town starts to convert, as the neuters (normals) lose the fight for decency.

John has lined up a stellar cast for this raunchy romp, my favorite being chronic masturbation lady. You'll see what I mean.

The great thing is, even with over the top sexual humor, there is still a underlying message of tolerance for everyone, as long as their beliefs and actions don't negatively affect anyone else.

My favorite John Waters film by far. See it! (9/10)
42 of 60 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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