Polyester
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.
Critics Sentiment
Francine meets and falls for art theater owner
Lu-Lu attempts suicide after finding Bo-Bo's body
The film's biggest swing occurs from Lu-Lu's suicide attempt (4.8) to the children's rehabilitation and Francine meeting Todd Tomorrow (rising to 8.2), representing Waters' characteristic tonal whiplash from bleakest moments to romantic hope.
Polyester follows a classic melodramatic arc, starting with satirical suburban setup that gradually darkens through family dysfunction and personal crisis, bottoming out with genuine tragedy before resurging with Divine and Tab Hunter's acclaimed romantic pairing. Critics consistently praised Waters' transition to more sophisticated filmmaking while maintaining his transgressive edge, though some found the deliberate bad acting and shock tactics wearing.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 71
Divine
Francine Fishpaw
Tab Hunter
Todd Tomorrow
Edith Massey
Cuddles Kovinsky
David Samson
Elmer Fishpaw
Mary Garlington
Lu-Lu Fishpaw
Ken King
Dexter Fishpaw
Mink Stole
Sandra Sullivan
Joni Ruth White
La Rue
Hans Kramm
Heintz
Stiv Bators
Bo-Bo Belsinger
Rick Breitenfeld
Dr. Arnold Quackenshaw
Michael Watson
Freddy Ashton
Derek Neal
Pimp
Jean Hill
Gospel Bus Hijacker
Jim Hill
Picket Reporter
John Brothers
TV News Announcer
Mary Vivian Pearce
Nun A
Sharon Niesp
Nun B
Cookie Mueller
Betty Lalinski
Marina Melin
Supermarket Victim
Crew
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