A-Sordid Review of Sordid Lives!

In honor of next week’s premiere of Logo’s Sordid Lives: The Series, I thought I would take the time to write a review of the movie. This way those who are unfamiliar with the film that started the frenzy can get up to speed. As well as learning why I love and relate to this movie on so many levels.

Sordid Lives is one of those films where comedy and drama collide and has the audience feeling several different emotions, usually at the same time.

The basic premise of the film begins as poor white trash family converge to pay their final respects to the matriarch of the family, Peggy. Peggy passed away while having an affair in a seedy motel room with her sister’s (hilarious Beth Grant) next door neighbor’s (Delta Burke) husband (Beau Bridges). Naturally, the death has caused scandal and great distress for the family, especially to Peggy’s snotty daughter, Latrelle (played expertly by the great Bonnie Bedelia).

Latrelle tries to convince Sissy that she should side with her and not the trashier of the two sisters LaVonda,(Ann Walker) over the preparations for Peggy’s funeral. Of course Sissy has her own demons. As she is on her third day of "tryin to quit smokin’".

LaVonda and Latrelle are also clashing over the fact of whether or not to have their brother, known as Brother Boy, realeased from the looney bin. The scene intertwine with Sissy refereeing the fight of LaVonda & Latrelle with scenes of Brother Boy in a therapy session. He is trying to over come his 23 year obsession with country legend, Tammy Wynette. Brother Boy is played by Emmy winner Leslie Jordan. Along with this movie and his award winning stint as Beverly Leslie on Will & Grace, Jordan has built up quite a cult following that should keep gainfully employed for years to come.

There are several scenes in the movie that are just fall down, flat out funny. However, my favorite scene happens to be the most poignant..

As Latrelle is preparing her deceased mother for her last respects, her gay son, Ty enters the church house. The movie did drag when it focuses on Ty and his own therapy sessions. However the pay off scene he has with the great Bedelia is worth it. I just love the scene so much because it totally represents my relationship with Netty. Latrelle IS Netty with a southern twang.

We know Latrelle/Netty have many issues especially dealing with their homosexual offspring, but underneath their conflicts lies the heart and soul of a mother who loves her son unconditionally.

It isn’t crucial to see the film before the series premieres, due to the fact the show is a prequel to the film. This is a bonus because now we get to meet the dearly departed Peggy, who will be played by Rue McClanahan. However, if you have not seen this film run out and rent it. You will not be disappointed.