Rating: 
Summary: A hoot and a howl
Review: "Sordid Lives" received only a limited release in theaters in the Los Angeles area, so it has not been seen by nearly as many people as it should. Writer-director Del Shores balances delicate sensitivity with gut-busting laughs in this tale of a Texas family beset by death and homosexuality, not necessarily in that order. The central figure, Ty, is a gay TV soap opera actor who is "out" to his friends and associates, but still closeted to his Texas family, who have gone so far as to institutionalize another family member ("Brother Boy") simply because of his penchant for dressing up like Tammy Wynette. The two story elements are brought together over the funeral of the family matriarch, who passed away in the midst of a motel room tryst with a married man. (She tripped over one of his prosthetic legs and hit her head on a bathroom sink). Beau Bridges, Delta Burke, Bonnie Bedelia and Oliva Newton-John bring Shores' characters to life in this hysterical film adaptation of his long-running stage hit. Don't miss it when it arrives on home video.
Rating:
Summary: Destined to be a cult classic of 'white trash' humor
Review: This DVD came highly recommended by several friends. I was sure not disappointed. I've watched it a half-dozen times now and loved it every time. The actors are fabulous, especially Leslie Jordan as 'Brother Boy' Earl. Far from playing the role in typical drag queen camp, Jordan brings depth and even poignancy to his (hilarious) character, who copes with his hellish looney bin existence by living out vicariously the life of Tammy Wynette. Beth Grant is also sensational in her protracted nicotine fit. I've seen enough of mega-studio Hollywood not to mind the fresh, offbeat, low-budget feel of this film. The big-name talent certainly delivers, including, as musical backdrop, Olivia Newton-John's awesome guitar numbers (impressively sung live on camera--wow what a talent, she's still got it). Apart from uproarious laughs, the film offers a meaningful theme of the dysfunctionality that non-acceptance from DENIAL can inject into family relationships. Be sure to add 'Sordid Lives' to your DVD collection, because it's becoming a cult classic of white trash humor--and memorable lines from the film are starting to go around. I'd tell you more about this movie, but you'll have to, in the words of Brother Boy...."excuse me...I got a show to do!"
Rating: 
Summary: memories
Review: this one of those movie that reminds me of why i fled the pine curtain(east texas) a very funny movie ---j duvall austin tx
Rating:
Summary: One of the funniest movies ever...
Review: This movie is one of my all time favorite
comedies. The characters are the epitome
of their stereotypes.
Whenever you are in a bad mood...rent or
watch this movie!
Rating:
Summary: Laugh til you cry! And it won't even cost you "$32.09"
Review: This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. It is a "camp classic" for sure. The cast is unbelieably fantastic, and all deserve recognition for their work. I can identify with many of the characters having grown up in small town America. (especially when "Lutrell" looks under the pie to see who brought it. We all label our tupperware). Beyond the bits and pieces of inginuity, there is also a serious message. Acceptance of others, no matter who they are. Watch it a few times, and repeat lines at parties. It's a hoot!
Rating:
Summary: So many issues, so little time!
Review: Watched this with a friend and knew I must own a copy! If you want a good laugh and cry, this is the movie for you. Jerry Springer has nothing on this crowd. Sad part is, that at some point you will say, "they remind me of". Well worth the buy, grab the popcorn, invite the family over and have a good time!
Rating:
Summary: Over The Top.
Review: Way over. And funny. The actresses in this film are wonderful, including Bonnie Bedelia, Delta Burke, and many others. Some of these folks look, act, and sound exactly like some of my more colorful southern relatives. It looks like they really put their heart into this project.
However, there are some really slow parts, and sometimes the humor crosses over into the unimaginable (i.e. going over the top) and the story loses some of its credibility and therefore some of its humor. The story could have been tightened up on the editing room floor and the end product would have been funnier. (Think Designing Women with a few too many long scenes that go out of control; Linda Bloodworth-Thomason knew when to make a point, or a joke, and then move on.)
However, if you gloss over some relatively minor flaws, you will surely laugh out loud more than once and probably enjoy the hilarious tongue-in-cheek songs by Olivia Newton-John.
It's certainly fresh material done to extremes. Watch it with good company so you can laugh at the other people laughing and gasp at the unbelievable parts together.
Don't miss the hilarious lip-synch during the credits.
Rating:
Summary: Almost too close to home
Review: The negative things: Low budget and it shows. That's it, everything else, very, very good. You will especially enjoy if you have a southern or "red-neck" background, as I do; although that is not a pre-curser to enjoy. Completely over the top funny. Great, loveable, believable, yet insane characters. Completely focuses around a gay son and a gay uncle and how everyone in this small town and the family feel in relation to them. While both the son and the uncle (perfectly hysterical, by the way) are wonderfully acted, it is the women who steal the show. Mostly done in a conversational style of acting, their bantering, gossiping, and chemistry with each other is both reminiscent of your own southern women in your life and make-ya-laugh-unitl-you-can't-breath funny. While there is one very attractive gay male beauty scene, this movie should be watched for the delightful, colorful interaction of the characters that the heart and love that shines through. Excellent Movie.
Rating:
Summary: Trashy, truthful, and never tame.
Review: I wasn't sure what to expect when I read the back cover of this DVD. I was expecting something between Mama and Roseanne. Thankfully, there was a lot more. Playful and apt references to other films in the public consciousness (Thelma and Louise, for example) latched onto surrealistic spoofs of southern/country culture (Tammy Wynette in drag) in highly amusing ways. Yet, there is an air of confessional (the gay son, the proud mother, the cheating husband, the redneck boyfriend) that lends an air of authority and truth to the film. While it is something that "could never be" it is simultaneously something that "is every day."
In short, the writing is good and the acting is superlative. If you are able to step back and look at yourself and your neighbor and laugh - at least at the deviance - then this is a film for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Amusing
Review: Calling this movie laugh out load hysterical is a bit of a stretch unless you are starved for entertainment. Think "Daddy's Dying and Who's Got the Will." Formulaic; mildly amusing -- there are dozens of other movies out there just like this one.
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