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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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1 win. See more awards »

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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 (251) »

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

John Waters has been quoted as saying that had Divine, his friend and frequent collaborator, still been alive, he would have played the role of Big Ethel. See more »

Goofs

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

Quotes

Neuter Man with Sub-Titles: [after Sylvia makes a move on him] That's it! I'm moving to Tulsa.
Big Ethel: Don't run away. Join us for our decency rally today. Only you can prevent fornication.
Neuter Man with Sub-Titles: Whatever...
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

Spoofs Carmen, Baby (1967) See more »

Soundtracks

Red Hot
Performed by Billy Lee Riley
Written by William Emerson
Courtesy of Sun Entertainment Corporation
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

 
A head injury!
14 October 2004 | by jotix100 – See all my reviews

The perverts have invaded the neighborhood and we're not going to take it anymore! Gays and lesbians are everywhere as well as all kinds of disgusting lewd behavior. Well, what are the righteous citizens to do? Organize and try to get rid of them, but they're outnumbered!

Thus seems to be the premise for this hysterical John Waters picture. The promise for an irreverent take on pornography in suburbia dissolves as soon as it starts. Mr. Waters shows a milder side to himself, as it's been the case in his latest movies. But with that said, even a minor Waters is a hilarious one. Sure, the jokes get a bit stale, but the film has so many funny situations that anyone with an open mind will appreciate this kind of humor.

Tracey Ullman blends the perfect amount of seriousness and insanity playing her Sylvia Stickles, the woman who comes alive as she is hit in the head! Her scene at the nursing home playing the Hokey Pokey will become a classic Waters moment. Chris Isaak, Selma Blair, Suzanne Shepherd and Johnny Knoxville are also good.
46 of 62 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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