Trailers
Description
Blessed with a keen sense of smell and cursed with a philandering pornographer husband, a parasitic mother, and a pair of delinquent children, the long-suffering Francine Fishpaw turns to the bottle as her life falls apart -- until deliverance appears in the form of a hunk named Todd Tomorrow. Originally screened with "Odorama" scratch and sniff cards so the audience could (at their own risk) smell along with the film.
Starring
Awards
Key opinion
Polyester marks a maturation in John Waters' career, balancing his signature transgressive, freak-show aesthetic with a more accessible, structured narrative. While it maintains the director's unmistakable satirical bite, the film serves as a pivotal bridge between his earlier underground work and his later mainstream successes.
| Acting | Divine delivers a nuanced, vulnerable performance that marks a significant shift from her more aggressive, earlier screen personas. | |
| Screenplay | The film benefits from a tighter, more coherent plot structure compared to Waters' earlier, more chaotic underground projects. | |
| Production | The inclusion of innovative 'Odorama' scratch-and-sniff elements uniquely enhances the immersive, gimmicky charm of the viewing experience. | |
| Originality | The film functions as a bridge for viewers, though it remains a subject of debate whether its transition to a more traditional comedy style dilutes the visceral impact of Waters' earlier, more dangerous work. |