Comedy
United States of America
A Dirty Shame is a 2004 comedy film directed by John Waters. The film stars Tracey Ullman as Sylvia Stickles, a middle-aged and uptight woman who lives in an apartment above her family's convenience store. As a result of a head injury, she develops a sudden and intense appetite for sex, and begins to indulge in increasingly outrageous sexual behavior.
Sylvia's transformation is witnessed by a group of outsiders known as the "neuter" community, who are horrified by her newly uninhibited behavior. They are led by Ursula Udders (Selma Blair), a former go-go dancer who has been castrated and now wears prosthetic breasts. Ursula views Sylvia's behavior as an affront to the neuter lifestyle, and sets out to destroy her.
Meanwhile, Ray Ray (Johnny Knoxville), a self-proclaimed "sexual healer" and tow truck driver, arrives in town with his entourage of sex addicts. Ray Ray is determined to help Sylvia achieve the "perfect orgasm," which he claims will thereby rid her of her insatiable sexual appetite. As Sylvia and Ray Ray's relationship deepens, their sexual escapades become increasingly outlandish, eventually causing a rift in the otherwise tight-knit Baltimore community.
A Dirty Shame received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising Waters' return to his early, shock-driven roots, and others criticizing the film for being too vulgar and juvenile. Nevertheless, the film has since gained a cult following, particularly among fans of Waters' signature brand of irreverent humor.
