Watch Sordid Lives For Free

Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

Del Shores is simply a writing genius! Having grown up in a Southern Baptist household and church, I totally relate to these characters. I've probably watched it over 100 times and still laugh at each carefully worded line! It is one of those movies that just sticks with you and gives me a giggle every time I experience the same scenario's in "real life" Bravo, Del Shores and Cast!

An old womans (Peggy Hickey) death in a small Texas town sets off a firestorm within the family. Her sister Sissy Hickey (Beth Grant) tries to calm down Peggy's children--uptight Latrelle (a wonderful Bonnie Bedelia) and sassy Lavonda (Ann Walker). Also Latrelle wants her gay son Ty (Kirk Geiger) to come to Texas for the funeral...but he's out in LA and never told anyone he's gay and is sick of keeping it a secret. Then there's Peggy's son Brother Boy (Leslie Jordan) was has been institutionalized because he's gay. THEN there's G.W. (Beau Bridges) who was cheating on his wife Noleta (Delta Burke) with Peggy and feels guilty about her death.This played all summer long back in 2002 in Provincetown MA (a small town with a large gay population during the summer). I never saw it there but got it on DVD the next year at the urging of some friends. THEN it just sat on my shelf for ten years till I watched it last night. My friends kept saying it's an unheralded masterpiece. You know what? They're wrong. It's really not that good. It DOES have some funny parts and the acting was great all around especially by Bedelia, Burke and Geiger (who it seems has quit show business--this was his last film to date). There's also a scene with Geiger and several totally nude men which some people may enjoy. Olivia Newton-John pops up also singing a few songs (especially the title song which is great). But, I found this more caustic and vicious than funny. The constant screaming and yelling got annoying and the treatment of Brother Boy at the institution was just horrific. Also the eccentric residents of a small Texas town are easy targets and have been done many times before. Maybe if I saw it with an audience it would work better (it was a big hit in PTown and Palm Springs) but, as it is, I was not impressed. A 6 all the way.

This one of the funniest movies I have seen. From Beth Grant's rubber band snapping to Delta Burke's white trash housewife this is a fun ride. Stars Bonnie Bedelia, Beau Bridges, Oliva Newton John and Delta Burke were brought to the movie to bring some Hollywood names.The story of a gay actor is faced with going back to Texas for his grandmother's funeral. The reason this is a difficult choice is that his grandmother has had his gay uncle, Brother Boy locked in a mental institution for the last 20 years for being gay. The irony is that the grandmother died tripping over his lover's (Beau Bridges) wooden legs in a seedy hotel and hit her head. Yes, this is a black comedy and teeters the line between laugher and tears wonderfully.Has Delta Burke ever been funnier? Bonnie Bedelia is excellent in a more dramatic part than most of the cast. Beau Bridges (also in Del Shores' "Daddy's Dyin' Whose Got the Will") is also enjoyable. Olivia gives an eye opening performance as an ex-con country singer.Del Shores directs his script as he did in the original Los Angeles stage production which I saw. It was hysterical. Written in chapters on stage, each at a different locations, the movie benefits from being able to inter-cut the stories.The rest of the cast are the original stage cast. If for no other reason, seeing Leslie Jordan as Brother Boy is a must. As a cross dressing Tammy Wynette this is one of his signature roles. He is so terribly funny and also extremely moving. Rosemary Alexander matches him step by step as the depraved Dr. Eve.Newell Alexander and Earl Bullock are a great pair as the brothers Wardell and Odell. Ann Walker is a stitch as the wild aunt LaVonda. Kirk Geiger is a great center as Ty, the young actor who escaped Texas to be an actor. (In the play it is New York, the movie places him in LA). His confessional scene with his mother (Bonnie Bedelia) is a highlight. Beth Grant is one of the most wonderful actresses working in films today. While often in smaller roles she gets a chance to shine in this one as Sissy, sister of the late Peggy who picked the wrong day to quit smoking. A new role added is one of the greatest characters, a drunk bar customer, Juanita played to perfection by Sarah Hunley.After seeing the movie I directed the play version. What a wonderful experience that was. We went on to become the most nominated play in Orange County, CA for a recent awards. Not an easy feat in this conservative burg.

Being from that area (in between Big Spring, Abilene & Snyder), I related 100% to this movie. In fact, I could give each character a different name because I do believe I grew up next door to these people. My favorite is Juanita putting her lipstick on with her cigarette in her mouth. I laughed so hard. AND I'm practicing that very trick myself. I watched it five times over the weekend. I'm renting the movie this weekend to take home so my redneck hick family can watch it. I'm SURE they are going to love it, too. I'm just waiting for the sequel. I really want to know where Brother Boy went and what happened to all of those people with their sordid lives. Bring us a sequel!!