Jeffrey Schwarz's irrepressibly affectionate biography of Harris Glenn Milstead concentrates less on the notorious shit-eating of Pink Flamingos than on the more interesting tale of a shy, bullied, misfit kid who became a much-adored alternative lifestyle role model.
Long-time partner-in-crime John Waters offers his usual eloquently acerbic (and equally loving) assessment of Divine's career progress from trashy drag queen to respected character actor, but the most affecting interviews are with Milstead's mother, from whom he was estranged for several years. It's surprisingly moving stuff – dressed up with just enough archival outrage to remind you how scandalous Divine once seemed.
