Russ Meyer delivers a fast and intense study in feminine power, wrapped up in the form of overstated American concepts of beauty, itself a critique of a society in crisis even in 1965.
The female characters each represent the different aspects of the female sexuality: innocence, female dominance, intellect, desire for other females, anger at power men have over them, etc. Same with the men. The old man was crippled by trying to save a girl from a train; raging male desire, who are emasculated by that pursuit. He has his new body: son, to do his sexual work for him. The women are after his money, a familiar scenario. The other son is male rationality and emotional strength that women made infantile by a patriarchal society want; a daddy. The film is packed with symbols of human sexuality. New ones emerge with each viewing and interpretation, The story is brilliant and reminiscent of Greek tragedies and Shakespearean lessons.
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