Serial Mom (1994)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

John Waters

Writer (WGA):

John Waters (written by)

Release Date:

13 April 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

She's a fabulous, loving, caring mother, who er... ...happens to be a serial killer!

Plot:

A sweet mother takes a little too much at heart for the defence of her family.

Plot Keywords:

Car Chase | Cynicism | Death Threat | Panic | Stabbed In The Back

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Kathleen Turner	...	Beverly R. Sutphin
Sam Waterston	...	Eugene Sutphin, D.D.S.
Ricki Lake	...	Misty Sutphin
Matthew Lillard	...	Chip Sutphin
Scott Morgan	...	Detective Pike (as Scott Wesley Morgan)
Walt MacPherson	...	Detective Gracey
Justin Whalin	...	Scotty Barnhill
Patricia Dunnock	...	Birdie
Lonnie Horsey	...	Carl Pageant
Mink Stole	...	Dottie Hinkle
Mary Jo Catlett	...	Rosemary Ackerman
John Badila	...	Paul Stubbins
Kathy Fannon	...	Betty Sterner
Doug Roberts	...	Ralph Sterner
Traci Lords	...	Carl's Date

MPAA:

Rated R for satirical presentation of strong violence, vulgar language, and sexual episodes.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Portugal:M/16 | France:-12 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Germany:16 | Israel:18 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Company:

Polar Entertainment Corporation

Trivia:

Director Cameo: ['John Waters']As the voice of Ted Bundy on the tape found under Beverly's bed.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the meatloaf dinner scene, Beverly (Kathleen Turner) hands Misty (Ricki Lake) a slice of meatloaf. It is clearly the "heel" of the loaf. The scene then cuts away to a shot of Misty accepting the slice, but it is bigger and lighter-colored, not the "heel".

Quotes:

[first lines]
Eugene Sutphin: That's a nice dress you're wearing this morning, Misty.
Misty Sutphin: Thanks.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "HBO First Look: The Making of 'Serial Mom' (#1.2)" (1994)

Soundtrack:

TOMORROW

Sick and subversive treat from John Waters

Beverly Sutphin (Kathleen Turner) seems to be a typical Betty Crocker suburban housewife. Unfortunately, people are dropping like flies around her! Could this perfect mom be a serial killer?

"Serial Mom" is a ridiculously charming and clever film that never really received the credit it deserved. It is John Waters' best mainstream film, and its tongue-in-cheek portrayal of suburbia, domesticity, the media, and conventional gender roles is delightfully subversive. Kathleen Turner was criminally underrated--this was her best performance to date. The dialogue is hilarious, the murders are wickedly funny, and the overall atmosphere of the film is disturbingly bright and shiny. Co-stars Waters regulars Mink Stole, Ricki Lake, Traci Lords, and features a dynamite cameo by grunge goddesses L7. My Rating: 9/10