Exene and Dominique

Television evangelism meets rock ‘n’ roll mayhem in Beth B.‘s Salvation, a delirious satire from 1987 starring Exene Cervenka, Viggo Mortensen (in his first starring movie role), Dominique Davalos (singer in Dominatrix) and a splendidly deranged Stephen McHattie as the Swaggart-like Reverend Edward Randall.

Even with a rather hefty $800,000 budget, Salvation manages to exude a down and dirty D.I.Y. vibe that feels true to Beth B.‘s roots, underground subversiveness slathered with a sleek Hollywood veneer. The movie is not altogether successful in eliciting laughs, but it’s cock-eyed energy has a manic propulsion that sent me into fits of giddiness. And it has an exceptionally cool soundtrack.

With music by New Order, Cabaret Votaire, Arthur Baker, Dominique and The Hood.