Review for Lust in the Dust

You know when I heard that Divine was in this film, I made sure that I had a vomit bag ready and that I hadn't eaten anything for at least 12 hours. After experiencing the horror that is Pink Flamingos I had a good or bad idea of what the performer was capable of. Thankfully none of that was needed with Lust in the Dust.

This is a sex comedy western, but if you are expecting the spoof genius of Blazing Saddles or even the sxy antics of a Russ Meyer film then unfortunately you will be disappointed. Instead this is a film that tries so hard, but just doesn't achieve what it could have set out if it had gone whole hog. It felt like the Director Paul Bartel who created the wonderfully crazy original Death Race 2000 was so nervous about being compared to John Waters (due to the inclusion of Divine) that he toned down all the crazy antics that may have made the film, if not better, probably more memorable.

Rosie is making her way through Death Valley trying to find Chili Verde. On her way she meets Abel Wood, a silent gunslinger who she accompanies, while telling an odd story about being attacked by a gang of cowboys including a midget who gets a rough deal from her large thighs (this is a recurring joke). On getting there, the local saloon and brothel owner Marguerita takes a shine to Abel while Rosie is employed as a cleaner, after an abysmal singing performance.

While there, rumours of a treasure in the area is spread through various town members including the local Priest. There is talk of a map that will lead the way, if only they can find it. This leads to double crosses aplenty as they try to get to the bottom of where that map is that leads to the gold.

I can't tell whether this is a good film. I really can't. If it was more spoofy and took advantage of spoof laws and logic (breaking the fourth wall, having almost cartoon Tom and Jerry antics) it could have been better. At times this is attempted, but it comes off as forced and even though it is generally described as a 'sex comedy western' the only thing they get right is the western part. The film looks great with costumes, settings and music all accurate and Tab Hunter as Abel Wood looking as close to Clint Eastwood as you can possibly get.

Divine's performance is fine and though she/he was nominated for a Razzie for Worst Performance I can understand why Stallone won instead for his double hit of Rocky IV and Rambo 2. The performance isn't all that bad, the back and forth with Lainie Kazan as Marguerita is amusing. The problem is that the film just doesn't go far enough. There is neither enough sex or comedy for the film to work in these regards.

The film's only extra is a trailer which is a shame as a look back at the film or some comments on the work of Divine and other people involved may have made the disk more special. As it is, the film is the only thing it has to offer and that's not much.

Lust in the Dust is not a bad film, it's just not a good one either. As a western it's fine, but as a comedy it is as hit and miss as some of the gunslingin' in the movie and maybe it should have been left in the dust.