"Sordid Lives" is about a family in a small Texas town preparing for the funeral of the mother. Among the characters are the grandson trying to find his identity in West Hollywood, the son who has spent the past twenty-three years dressed as Tammy Wynette, the sister and her best friend (who live in delightfully kitschy homes), and the two daughters (one strait-laced and one quite a bit of a loser).
Sordid Lives is a 2000 American black comedy film written and directed by Del Shores, in his directorial debut. It is based on his 1996 play, which is inspired by Shore's own coming out experience, and about a Texas family coming together in the aftermath of the matriarch's death. Produced independently, filming took place in Los Angeles on a $500,000 budget in late 1999. It was shot digitally that was later transferred to 35mm film.