Desperate Living

  • 1977
  • NC-17
  • 91m
movieMx RATING
6.4/10114
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
Advertisement

Performance & Direction: Desperate Living Review

Last updated: January 27, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: January 27, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is Desperate Living (1977) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Desperate Living features a noteworthy lineup led by Mink Stole . Supported by the likes of Jean Hill and Susan Lowe , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of Desperate Living (1977) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.4/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.

Result: ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, Desperate Living stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: Desperate Living

Quick Plot Summary: Desperate Living is a Comedy, Crime film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: Desperate Living

Ending Breakdown: Desperate Living concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.

The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of Desperate Living reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Desperate Living Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?

Desperate Living incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a comedy, crime film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.

Historical Context

The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.

Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.

Accuracy Assessment: Desperate Living adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.

Who Should Watch Desperate Living?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want some laughs and light entertainment

Box Office Collection: Desperate Living

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $65.0K
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT

Desperate Living Budget

The estimated production budget for Desperate Living is $65.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

Advertisement

Top Cast: Desperate Living

All Cast & Crew →
Mink Stole
Mink StolePeggy Gravel
Jean Hill
Jean HillGrizelda Brown
Susan Lowe
Susan LoweMole McHenry
Liz Renay
Liz RenayMuffy St. Jacques
Edith Massey
Edith MasseyQueen Carlotta
Mary Vivian Pearce
Mary Vivian PearcePrincess Coo-Coo
Brook Yeaton
Brook YeatonBosley Jr. (as Brook Blake)
Al Strapelli
Al StrapelliDr. Evans
George Stover
George StoverBosley Gravel
Turkey Joe
Turkey JoeMotorcycle Cop
Advertisement

Where to Watch Desperate Living Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

Desperate Living Parents Guide & Age Rating

1977 Advisory
NC-17

Official Age Rating

Wondering about Desperate Living age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

Desperate Living is rated NC-17. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of Desperate Living is 91 minutes (1h 31m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.4/10, and global performance metrics, Desperate Living is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1977 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for Desperate Living. Rating: 6.4/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Desperate Living worth watching?

Desperate Living is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.4/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find Desperate Living parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for Desperate Living identifies it as NC-17. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of Desperate Living?

The total duration of Desperate Living is 91 minutes, which is approximately 1h 31m long.

Best Movies to Watch if you liked Desperate Living

How Desperate Living Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for Desperate Living

No reviews found for this filter.

🛡️

movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

Advertisement
Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.4
Desperate Living
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/desperate-living-14262" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.4</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">Desperate Living</div></div></a>

Share this rating on your blog or website. Includes a 100% organic backlink.

More with Mink Stole

View full filmography