Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea (2006)

I'll tell you why so serious

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

John Waters is used to dealing with odd characters in his often off-kilter films. It is very easy to imagine him directing one of his unusual movies at this fascinating location. The Salton Sea residents seem to have adapted to the fact that the areas recreational greatness may be only faded memories. Monumental fish kills and hundreds of dying birds, are testament to the ecological disaster which has become the current way of life. Water's interviews reveal the necessary adaptation made by most of the people who continue to live there. Whether the Salton Sea can ever be returned to it's past glory, is conjectural at best, but hope springs eternal in the small population of quirky characters living along the Salton Sea. - MERK

I first visited the Salton Sea on February 12, 2003. I was in Palm Springs on business. After my workday was done, I saw this big lake on the map not far from Palm Springs. I had never heard of and decided to check it out in person. Ever since that day, I've been drawn to it. The place is simply awesome.This movie is an excellent introduction to the Sea and those that inhabit it's shores. It showcases the stark beauty of the Sea, along with the quirky people who live there. I found it a very interesting tale, presented in a way that resonates with the average viewer. The movie is thought provoking in the way it shows the history of the sea and glimpses it's future.I found it to be an excellent representation of the place I have come to know and love. And it filled in a few blanks for me as well. The humorous take on some of the issues does not disappoint, and John Waters's narration adds appropriate, salient punctuation marks to the story.I would recommend for everyone who can -- go see this film. You will not be disappointed. And also go see the Sea... the film shows what is largely still the current status of the Sea, but parts of it have already changed significantly since the film was released. If you can, see the Sea before it changes for good. But even if you can't make it to the Sea, SEE THIS FILM. It's the best thing going for this place of strange beauty...

Loved the film. The salton sea is located in South Eastern California about 35 miles north of the Mexican border and is home to a small but loyal mix of residents that are some of the most interesting and eccentric folks you could meet. The American dream is alive as optimistic landowners buy and sell $500 lots in these huge subdivisions of vacant land and tumbleweeds. The future of the Sea is very uncertain and several attempts to curb the pollution and protect the wildlife habitats have failed horribly. In 1999 there was a population of over 100 million Talapia, a species of local fish, but mass die offs due to the sea's changing "chemistry" have killed over 99% of these fish. The residents just fold out lawn chairs and have cocktails despite the smell, the 100+ degree temperatures, and the dust storms. These die-hards really give you a sense of that good old undying human spirit and they remind you that we're all just looking for happiness. See the film, you WILL be drawn to the Sea!

This is a great film that highlights the wonder and hart-break of the people that inhabit this great California dream-scape. In this film (narated by legendary film maker John Waters) the story unfolds in interviews by the people that inhabit this strange land, some raving about it's wonder, some panning this ecological disaster, but all of them true, on target and with the utmost sincerity. The film does not flinch away from controversy, and gives a balanced picture of the current population and activity of the area. Some of the interviews are truly funny while others are heartbreaking. Any attempt to explain what is really up at the Salton Sea would not be simple since there are people who really love it, and people that have been ruined and brought down by the lack of intervention in the decline of this ounce great "California Riviara" But the film seccedes beautifully in showing the Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea fro every angle. It is a brilliant documentary!!!!