Trash (1970)

Director:

Paul Morrissey

Writer:

Paul Morrissey (writer)

Release Date:

18 February 1971 (West Germany)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Infidelity | Nudity | Male Frontal Nudity | Drug Addict | Pregnant Woman Nude

Awards:

1 win

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Joe Dallesandro	...	Joe
Holly Woodlawn	...	Holly
Geri Miller	...	Geri, the go-go dancer
Andrea Feldman	...	Rich Girl
John Putnam	...	Johnny (as Johnny Putnam)
Jane Forth	...	Jane
Bruce Pecheur	...	Bruce
Diane Podel	...	Holly's Sister
Roberto D'Alessandro	...	Rob (as Rob d'Alesandro)
Michael Sklar	...	Mr. Michaels

Also Known As:

Andy Warhol's Trash (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:18 (video rating) (1991) (1996) (cut) | UK:18 (video rating) (2005) | UK:X (re-rating) (1972) (cut) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | Australia:R | Canada:(Banned) (Nova Scotia) | Finland:(Banned) (1972) | France:-16 (re-rating) | France:X (original rating) (cut) | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 (video rating) (1991) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:Unrated | Canada:18+ (Quebec) | USA:R | Germany:18

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Filmfactory

Trivia:

Paul Morrissey started shooting the movie in the basement of his brownstone on 6th Street between First and Second Avenue on the Lower East Side in October 1969. Jed Johson was the film's entire crew, functioning as "gofer, gaffer, grip and editor". Shooting lasted two weeks.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Joe: It don't do anything, Geri.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Factory Days: Paul Morrissey Remembers the Sixties (2006) (V)

Definitely not for all tastes and certainly, well, trashy, but also surprisingly poignant

"Trash" is one of the most legendary underground films of all time, and for good purpose. It presents a series of disgusting and graphic images that you never could get away with in Hollywood, not even in the 70s. It rivals "Pink Flamingos" for sheer audacity in its willingness to shock the audience with images that were previously thought of as obscene. However, what makes it work very well is that it tells an actual story, which many of the Andy Warhol produced films didn't. Even more surprising is that the story is actually poignant and involving, with sympathetic characters and accomplished acting from the two leads. I'm not exactly sure how this was meant to be taken, as an absurd grungy comedy or a serious social drama. I guess ultimately there's truth to the humor and vice versa. While I really can't stand any of the art Andy Warhol made himself, the stuff he produced but really had no artistic involvement in (this film, the first Velvet Underground album, and Interview magazine), I can't get enough of.

The film, despite having obviously zero budget, is quite well made and makes good use of limited resources. Even though its overlong at nearly two hours, the direction by Paul Morrissey keeps everything moving at a good pace. The supporting acting here is hit and miss, but the two lead performances from Joe Dallesandro and Holly Woodlawn are revelatory. They make their characters surprisingly complex and sympathetic. As much as I love early John Waters ("Pink Flamingos" remains one of my all time favorite films), strong characters weren't exactly his forte. Apparently many known individuals in Hollywood wanted Holly Woodlawn to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar, which would've been unheard of for independent cinema at the time. Shes really that good! "Trash" is definitely not for all tastes, but those who can appreciate something unique and transgressive are highly persuaded to check it out. This is a time when independent movies were truly independent and not just manipulative "adult" dramas churned out by major studios. (7/10)