What a dirty, dirty shame

It is perhaps appropriate that I purchased and watched A Dirty Shame yesterday. It’s the latest film directed by John Waters (which should tell you everything you need to know about the type of film it is). I, on the other hand, had not realised it was a John Waters film until the credits rolled, so imagine my delight.

It’s not really a film that can be spoiled in any way, so here’s what it’s about. It’s about sex addicts, starring Tracey Ullman, Johnny Knoxville, Chris Isaak, and Selma Blair. John Waters sets up situations (accidental concussions spark a complete loosening of inhibitions and the sufferers begin to openly indulge their deepest, darkest fetishes) and it all just goes crazy. Like all his films I’ve seen thus far (Cry-Baby, Polyester, Pink Flamingos, Desperate Living), it’s rude and shocking, but it’s not in any way pornographic. No where is there in-your-face nudity (a bloke’s arse is shown at one point and Selma Blair’s prosthetic boobs come out to play — update: on a second viewing, there were two scenes of full frontal nudity, but they were so ridiculous and it felt completely non-sexual to me), nowhere is there sexual intercourse (but there are fully-clothed simulations), but what perhaps flies in the face of ‘public decency’ is an open acceptance (? perhaps more like acknowledgement) of sexual diversity and fetish. S&M doesn’t even get a mention here, it’s probably too vanilla.

The core aim of the movie, it appears, especially in the cast and crew interviews, is to bring to the (over 17 years of age) public’s attention the fact that sex between consensual partners is not bad or evil or dirty, it just is what it is. Although this film confronts a US audience, I think this applies to Singapore too, where homosexuals (especially men) are now being discriminated against ‘for their own good’ (no public parties, no casual sex, no HIV — QED?) and where a girl’s nude, non-gynaecological photo is the talk of the town. Our public face is this Pleasantville-like facade, and not so far under the surface lurk diverse opinions, dreams, and desires, sexual or otherwise. We may not need to approve, on a personal level, every single thing, but we at least need to acknowledge they exist and not pretend that if we ignore or ban them, they will go away.

I do agree with the Big Ethel character that sometimes political correctness can go too far, though.

All in all, a good film and it made me laugh, especially to see Tracey Ullman be a ‘cunnilingus bottom’ addict.

(Plus I think Chris Isaak is hot.)

• 14 Jun 2005

• Thinking