jlomax28
Russ Meyer is a great forerunner of independent cinema and free speech. This is a very bold story. Although the camera transfixes on beautiful female forms, the movie as a whole isn't very pretty. But who said that art had to be pretty or in good taste? There is no question in my mind that Mudhoney is a work of art. I like that one of the film's main focus is the hypocrisy of religion. The insane preacher (who screams the Lord's prayer)played by Frank Bolger hides behind religion to cloak a deeper malevolence. By the end of the film this said preacher turns the whole town into a crazed blood thirsty mob. Fans of RM will see many familiar faces like Lorna Maitland, John Furlong and Stuart Lancaster. There is one of the most insane, inappropriate funerals ever depicted on film. This film is artistic and sleazy and dramatic. The final shots of Rena Horten running through the town in a panic were very tense. The looks of guilt of the townspeople after the lynching was very effective and dramatic. Mudhoney AKA Rope of Flesh is a unique entry in the world of Russ Meyer. I loved it.
infpaquarian
My friend and I sat down to watch Mudhoney on TCM. The first two minutes or so (before the opening credits roll) convinced us this was going to be a unique and well-paced movie. We were totally drawn in by the interesting camera work and tight editing. This is the way to open a film! We knew we were in for a worthwhile viewing experience, not just an exploitation flick. Hal Hopper's performance transcends the B-genre. Deranged, sadistic, degrading, mocking, taunting, conniving, violent--he commands the screen. (This guy was Jay "Dennis the Menace" North's father?) Lovely, seductive ladies, never shown gratuitously. They behave in a manner consistent with the film world Myer's has created (some label "gritty," which is the least of this small community's issues).
preppy-3
Drama takes place in Missouri during the Depression (though that adds little to the story). Drifter Calif McKinney (John Furlong) comes by a small town looking for working. He finds it at the Wade farm run by Luke Ward and his niece Hannah (Antoinette Christiani) and her alcoholic abusive husband Sidney (Hal Hopper). Calif starts to fall for Hannah--Sidney sees that and doesn't like it. He gets the town and the local preacher (Frank Bolger) to rally against Calif. Also there are the two beautiful, huge-chested sisters (Lorna Maitland and Rena Horten) who are in the local cat house...It all leads to two near rapes, violence, murder and tragedy. But it does (in a way) have a happy ending.Sleazy (in a good way) and enjoyable Russ Meyer drama. He ignores the campy dialogue he had in his previous features and gives us a straight forward drama. The script is good and it's well-directed with some beautiful black and white cinematography. The acting was (surprisingly) pretty good--especially when you consider all the women were hired for their bodies not acting ability. Furlong and Christiani give good performances but Hopper screams all his lines and Bolger is hopeless.There is nudity on a few occasions but it's pretty tasteful. No great shakes but right up there with "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" as one of the best Russ Meyers film.
shepardjessica-1
For some reason, I expected more crass (and I've seen Russ Meyer films from the late 60s and early 7s) and exploitive (although they are in docu-creepy realistic funny way) rendition of a story like this. I couldn't have been more mistaken. Perfectly cast - Hal Hopper (the ultimate sleaze-bag in a worn linen suit, babes galore - Lorna Maitland and her beautiful mute sister (can't remember her name) who was mute (and has no lines)...the "crazy" and hilarious mother of the these two "Lil Abner" rejects who makes moonshine ..on the side - whose name is Princess something (in real life)...Anyway, I'm making it sound complicated and it's not and it's not "dirty" (even for then). It's funny, serious (darkly later), kind of sexy, great b/w cinematography and the ending is on the plains.I never thought this film would be good. Meyer's best film (that I've seen - which is about half his output). Well-done.
AD
