Polyester
Our Price: $14.99
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $9.20 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: David Samson (II), Divine, Edith Massey, Mary Garlington, Tab HunterBrand: NEW Line Home Video
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; English (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 86 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-09-07
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: New Line Home Entertainment
Movie Reviews of Polyester
Movie Review: God, how I wish she had lived in Connecticut!
Summary: 5 Stars
Polyester was probably the first John waters film geared toward a mainstream audience. It worked! Although these days Polyester is something of a cult classic; the movie was originally shown in many cinemas. Mainstream America got its first close-up look at Divine playing Francine Fishpaw; Mink Stole playing Sandra Sullivan, Francine's husband's mistress; and they saw Tab Hunter once again in a role as Todd Tomorrow, a slick guy chasing after Francine.
The action starts from a clever, creative angle: We get a brief introduction by an actor who plays a scientist. He explains to us that we're about to watch a movie in "odorama;" and he shows moviegoers how to scratch and sniff the odorama card when the corresponding numbers light up in the corner of the screen. (Everyone who saw the movie in theaters got an odorama card.) Although this is completely unnecssary for the plot, it somehow makes for a powerful beginning and it encourages audience involvement with the film. THEN we get introduced to the Fishpaw household. Francine, a rather big sized woman (played by Divine) tries hard to keep her family together. That ain't easy: Francine's husband Elmer (David Samson) is fooling around with his secretary (Mink Stole); her pregnant and unwed teenage daughter is running around with junkies (look for Stiv Bators as Bo-Bo Belsinger); and her son loves women's feet so much that he routinely stomps on them and winds up in jail!
Of course, the pressure on Francine is only worsened by her obnoxious, cruel mother. Francine's only friend is her former, mildly mentally handicapped maid Cuddles (Edith Massey) who is suddenly rich now that she's inherited a huge sum of money from some people she used to work for. Francine's world crumbles almost all together when her husband Elmer finally leaves her; and that's when the action speeds up even more! Francine meets Todd Tomorrow (Tab Hunter), a handsome man who's clearly interested in her. Can this be the start of a new life for Francine?
Of course, the plot can go in many different directions from here. Francine eventually becomes alcoholic because of her pain--what will she do, if anything, to combat her drinking problem? How far can Cuddles actually go to help Francine when Francine's in trouble? Will Elmer really leave Francine for good? Will Francine's daughter go off with Bo-Bo? What about Francine's son--what happens when he's in jail? Will Todd turn out to be the right man after all for Francine? Watch the movie and find out!
The cinematography is good in the beginning when the camera is looking down from an aerial view of the Baltimore suburb where The Fishpaws live; and the choreography works well in crowd scenes like Cuddle's debutante party.
The DVD extra gives us a director's commentary; and yes, you DO get an odorama card with this DVD.
Polyester remains one of John Waters's better films. The snappy dialogue and the peppy plot full of campy scenes and zesty one liners kept my attention completely. There are many funny scenes in this movie--if you like movies that are slightly off the beaten path; this one's for you!
Five stars--great job, everybody!
Summary of Polyester
POLYESTER (NL) - DVD MovieSimilar DVD Movies
Divine TrashUni; Release date: 2003-05-27; DVD
Best price: $8.59
Price in other shops:
John Waters Collection #1: Hairspray/ Pecker (Special Edition)Release date: 2001-05-22; DVD
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
Cry Baby: Director's CutUniversal Studios; Release date: 2005-07-12; DVD
Best price: $5.50
Price in other shops:
Lust in the DustFox; Release date: 2001-03-26; DVD
Best price: $23.94
Cecil B. DementedLions Gate; Release date: 2001-10-23; DVD
Best price: $6.24
Price in other shops:
HairsprayNEW Line Home Video; Release date: 2002-11-05; DVD
Best price: $4.56
Price in other shops:
PeckerNEW Line Home Video; Release date: 2005-06-14; DVD
Best price: $4.78
Price in other shops:
Serial Mom (Collector's Edition)UNI DIST CORP. (MCA); Release date: 2008-05-06; DVD
Best price: $11.95
Price in other shops:
A Dirty Shame (NC-17 Rated Theatrical Version)NEW Line Home Video; Release date: 2005-06-14; Published: 2005-06-01; DVD
Best price: $3.75
Price in other shops:
Pink FlamingosNEW Line Home Video; Release date: 2004-09-07; DVD
Best price: $8.61
Price in other shops: