Review of Serial Mom (1994) by Olaf Z — 12 May 2009

John Waters returned after going mainstream with the likes of Hairspray (1988) and Cry-Baby (1990), and he makes a sort of return to mature entertainment with this one, it's one of his funniest films, with a brilliant lead performance from Kathleen Turner and plenty of grisly, sick laughs along the way.

Set in a peaceful suburb of Baltimore, this has Beverly Sutphin (Turner) as a seemingly perfect matriach, a loving wife to dentist husband Eugene (Sam Waterston), and a perfect mother to Misty (Ricki Lake) and Chip (Matthew Lillard).

Everything seems perfect, except for one small problem. Beverly is a serial killer!! It started off with obscene phone calls to neighbour Dottie Hinkle (Mink Stole), who stole a parking space from her, now she's murdered Chip's teacher for giving him a bad report, she kills Misty's ex-boyfriend for standing her up, and best of all, an innocent stranger is bludgeoned to death with a leg of lamb to the tune of Tomorrow from Annie for not rewinding her videotapes!! :P It's a John Waters films, it's camp and kitschy, but that's what makes it good!! It's dialogue is exaggerated and over the top, as are alot of the performances, but Turner is wonderful as the psychotically cheerful Mom, for those wanting an introduction to Waters' work, it's a good start!! :D.