Female Trouble (1975)

John Waters' follow-up to the notorious Pink Flamingos is slicker and believe it or not, even more twisted. Despite its low-budget nature, Female Trouble's script and direction are much more ambitious: The surprisingly complex story packs a novel's worth of plot into 98 minutes without ever feeling overwritten, and Waters fills each frame of the film with outrageously gaudy sets, costumes, makeup, and hairdos that create a convincingly surreal atmosphere of bad taste (special kudos must also be directed to production designer Vincent Peranio and costume/makeup whiz Van Smith, who each played a crucial role in creating this world). However, Female Trouble is so consistently over-the-top and hysterically shrill in its pursuit of sick humor that it might frighten off even the hardiest cult film addicts. The characters are written in a way that makes them all unsympathetic, the film's theme of "crime equals beauty" is likely to make even the most liberal-minded viewers squirm, and the story plays sordid themes like child abuse, incest, and mutilation for laughs of the darkest variety. Just the same, those brave enough to stick with Female Trouble will find the film has its rewards: Waters works in some clever visual references to Russ Meyer and Herschell Gordon Lewis and the supporting cast is full of memorable turns, especially Edith Massey's jaw-dropping work as Gator's anti-heterosexual mother. Best of all, Female Trouble is graced with Divine's most impressive performance. He goes about his transformation from spoiled teen to crazed murderess with the kind of fearless bravado that few actors ever attempt and puts on a display of go-for-broke histrionics that would put Joan Crawford to shame: Highlights include a sex scene where Divine plays both participants and the hilarious "nightclub act" that climaxes with Divine attempting to execute the audience. In short, Female Trouble is required viewing for anyone with a serious interest in John Waters or Divine but casual moviegoers should approach the film with extreme caution. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide