Lust in the Dust (1985)

Touches You

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

A lot of fun.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

The phrase 'Lust In The Dust' was first coined to describe David O. Selznick's epic western Duel In The Sun. It took almost forty years for it to be the actual title of a comic western starring the fabulous zoftig 300 pound female impersonator Divine as one full figured showgirl come to an out of the way New Mexican village to find a treasure.The treasure is the loot from a holdup of more than 30 years ago and there's a riddle to the treasure that has to be solved. There's also a map that was done in halves and the halves hidden in a place where the sun doesn't normally shine.Lust In The Dust is a satire on those spaghetti westerns and serving the pasta is former 50s matinée idol Tab Hunter and Geoffrey Lewis on hiatus from Clint Eastwood films. Hunter is your Eastwood like stranger with a fast gun and Lewis is a rather urbane outlaw leader.Divine goes to work in Lainie Kazan's bawdy house and the two really don't hit it off. But they have to work together in a manner of speaking.Sad to say is the best scene in the film is the state Lewis's gang is in after 'ravishing' Divine out there on the desert. Who says women are the weaker sex?Set in a bawdy house part of the time Lust In The Dust is one bawdy R rated western. What would Hoppy, Gene, and Roy think?

This is NOT the sort of film for everyone. Apparently gay men love it (according to Lainie Kazan) and people who love Divine (like me) will get a kick out of seeing this character play a somewhat normal role--at least compared to all the freaks he/she played for John Waters!! But for the rest of the folks out there, it's very possible you won't like the film...and it's quite possible you'll enjoy it on its own very simple merits. The way to determine this is to ask yourself "am I normal?"--if so, don't watch the film! But for all the quirky folks out there (and I know there are a lotta you), it's worth seeing.The film stars a whole lot of familiar faces, though the only big star (at least once upon a time) in the film is Tab Hunter. In addition, Divine, Lainie Kazan, Caesar Romero, Henry Silva, Woody Strode and Geoffrey Lewis (whose face you are bound to recognize) are there for excellent support. The film was directed by Paul Bartel--a man who is probably most associated with the ultra-strange "Eating Raoul"."Lust in the Dust" is a gentle parody of westerns. Nothing in it is super remarkable except for its strong sexual overtones as well as having Divine play a part that is really pretty normal. There are a reasonable amount of decent laughs, some that fall flat and a few surprises--but it never is dull.My attitude is that lovers of weird films should see this at least once. And, if it doesn't scare you too much, try another one of Divine's films, such as "Hairspray" (the original) or perhaps "Polyester". Save "Pink Flamingos", "Female Trouble", "Mondo Trasho" and the other early John Waters films for AFTER--as they can be too shocking and too weird for the uninitiated!! I warned you!

This deliciously wicked musical western comedy have the genius of John Waters and comedian Divine in a laugh-out-loud well produce, written and acted comedy. These desperado are searching for a hidden treasure at the ruthless town of "Chili Verde", and the only good guys are an aging prostitute and a clueless drifter. But since they don't have cable the local must find other ways to amuse themselves like leaching day. Even the priest gets into the action.So run fast rent or buy "Lust in the Dust", this guilty pleasure is best enjoy with a pint, a few buffalo wings and few idiots to laugh with.

When a friend suggested I watch this film I hadn't heard of it. And after I saw it, at first, I wished I hadn't. But this is one of those truly guilty pleasures. Don't admit to anyone you've seen this film, but sat back and prepare to roar. Tab Hunter not only wrote the script and produced but starred in the film. Divine was...well divine and Lanie Kazan was a hoot. And ever debonair Cesar Romero helped to bring the riotous humor out in this little gem by director Paul Bartel. Make no mistake, this is not a John Waters film. It is in a class by itself and it needs to be judged that way. Even the name of the town Chili Verde (Green Chili) New Mexico is fitting. I think I may have driven through this place a time or two when I lived in that state.