Amanda Seyfried earnestly attempts an honest portrayal of Linda Boreman, but the Deep Throat actor remains a mystery
• Reel history on Fair Game
• Reel history on The Enigma of Kasper Hauser
• Reel history on Land of the Pharaohs
Directors: Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman
Entertainment grade: B+
History grade: C+
Linda Boreman, credited as Linda Lovelace, was the star of 1972 porn film Deep Throat. Later in life, she became a prominent figure in the anti-pornography movement.
Structure
Lovelace is a film in two parts. In the first, a young, naive and compliant Linda (Amanda Seyfried) falls in love with shady Chuck Traynor (Peter Sarsgaard), stars in Deep Throat and achieves fame in a whirl of kitschy 70s glamour. Then the film flips back to the beginning and starts filling in the nasty bits it left out the first time round. This is a clever way to handle Boreman's own take on events.
• Reel history on Fair Game
• Reel history on The Enigma of Kasper Hauser
• Reel history on Land of the Pharaohs
Directors: Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman
Entertainment grade: B+
History grade: C+
Linda Boreman, credited as Linda Lovelace, was the star of 1972 porn film Deep Throat. Later in life, she became a prominent figure in the anti-pornography movement.
Structure
Lovelace is a film in two parts. In the first, a young, naive and compliant Linda (Amanda Seyfried) falls in love with shady Chuck Traynor (Peter Sarsgaard), stars in Deep Throat and achieves fame in a whirl of kitschy 70s glamour. Then the film flips back to the beginning and starts filling in the nasty bits it left out the first time round. This is a clever way to handle Boreman's own take on events.
- 8/29/2013
- by Alex von Tunzelmann
- The Guardian - Film News
Playboy Magazine publisher Hugh M. Hefner, is releasing his 'Lindsay Lohan' pictorial issue one week early.
This is after photos of the shoot were leaked online, featuring the "Mean Girls" star.
"Because of the interest and the internet leak, we're releasing the 'Lindsay Lohan' issue early," said Hef.
The magazine's nude pictorial of Lohan is in homage to actress Marilyn Monroe.
Monroe appeared as Playboy Magazine's first 'centerfold' in 1953.
In other Playboy news, Oscar-winning Canadian filmmaker Brigitte Berman's documentary "Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel" continues to show interest.
"...'Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel' is a revealing look at the outspoken, flamboyant founder of the "Playboy" empire.
"With humor and insight, the film captures Hefner's fierce battles with the government, the religious right and militant feminists.
"Rare footage and compelling interviews with a remarkable who's who of 20th Century American pop culture,...
This is after photos of the shoot were leaked online, featuring the "Mean Girls" star.
"Because of the interest and the internet leak, we're releasing the 'Lindsay Lohan' issue early," said Hef.
The magazine's nude pictorial of Lohan is in homage to actress Marilyn Monroe.
Monroe appeared as Playboy Magazine's first 'centerfold' in 1953.
In other Playboy news, Oscar-winning Canadian filmmaker Brigitte Berman's documentary "Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel" continues to show interest.
"...'Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel' is a revealing look at the outspoken, flamboyant founder of the "Playboy" empire.
"With humor and insight, the film captures Hefner's fierce battles with the government, the religious right and militant feminists.
"Rare footage and compelling interviews with a remarkable who's who of 20th Century American pop culture,...
- 12/11/2011
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Chicago – The duality of “Playboy” reflects the duality of the man who created it. On one hand, the magazine notoriously fetishizes female sexuality with all the airbrushed idealism of a horny adolescent. On the other hand, it’s a reputable publication of great sociopolitical depth, with a history of voicing unpopular views at the times they were most needed.
Brigitte Berman’s eye-opening documentary “Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel” is not a probing study of the iconic “Playboy” creator so much as it’s a provocative portrait of his rather unheralded work as a civil rights crusader. It’s a compulsively watchable, occasionally fascinating couple of hours, but it comes dangerously close to idolizing its subject, without ever truly grappling with the views of his detractors, and the argument that “Playboy” is inherently demeaning to women.
DVD Rating: 3.5/5.0
Much like how “The September Issue” was more interested in “Vogue” than its editor,...
Brigitte Berman’s eye-opening documentary “Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel” is not a probing study of the iconic “Playboy” creator so much as it’s a provocative portrait of his rather unheralded work as a civil rights crusader. It’s a compulsively watchable, occasionally fascinating couple of hours, but it comes dangerously close to idolizing its subject, without ever truly grappling with the views of his detractors, and the argument that “Playboy” is inherently demeaning to women.
DVD Rating: 3.5/5.0
Much like how “The September Issue” was more interested in “Vogue” than its editor,...
- 12/9/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
According to Oscar-winning Canadian filmmaker Brigitte Berman ("Artie Shaw: Time Is All You've Got"), her acclaimed 2010 documentary "Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel" will be available on DVD, December 7, 2010.
"...'Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel' is a revealing look at the outspoken, flamboyant founder of the "Playboy" empire.
"With humor and insight, the film captures Hefner's fierce battles with the government, the religious right and militant feminists.
"Rare footage and compelling interviews with a remarkable who's who of 20th Century American pop culture, present a brilliant and entertaining snapshot of the life of an extraordinary man and the controversies that surrounded him..."
In addition to Hefner, the film includes interviews with Joan Baez, Jim Brown, Dick Cavett, Pat Boone, Susan Brownmiller, Gene Simmons, Jenny McCarthy, Mike Wallace, Dick Gregory, Tony Curtis, Shannon Tweed, Jesse Jackson, Tony Bennett, James Caan, David Steinberg, George Lucas, Ruth Westheimer, Bill Maher and Pete Seeger.
"...'Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel' is a revealing look at the outspoken, flamboyant founder of the "Playboy" empire.
"With humor and insight, the film captures Hefner's fierce battles with the government, the religious right and militant feminists.
"Rare footage and compelling interviews with a remarkable who's who of 20th Century American pop culture, present a brilliant and entertaining snapshot of the life of an extraordinary man and the controversies that surrounded him..."
In addition to Hefner, the film includes interviews with Joan Baez, Jim Brown, Dick Cavett, Pat Boone, Susan Brownmiller, Gene Simmons, Jenny McCarthy, Mike Wallace, Dick Gregory, Tony Curtis, Shannon Tweed, Jesse Jackson, Tony Bennett, James Caan, David Steinberg, George Lucas, Ruth Westheimer, Bill Maher and Pete Seeger.
- 12/2/2010
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
From the moment that Hal Holmes and I slipped quietly into his basement and he showed me his father's hidden collection of Playboy magazines, the map of my emotional geography shifted toward Chicago. In that magical city lived a man named Hugh Hefner who had Playmates possessing wondrous bits and pieces I had never seen before. I wanted to be invited to his house.
I was trembling on the brim of puberty, and aroused not so much by the rather sedate color "centerfold" of an undressed woman, as by the black and white photos that accompanied them. These showed an ordinary woman (I believe it was Janet Pilgrim) entering an office building in Chicago, and being made up for her "pictorial." Made up! Two makeup artists were shown applying powders and creams to her flesh. This electrified me. It made Pilgrim a real person. In an interview she spoke of her life and ambitions.
I was trembling on the brim of puberty, and aroused not so much by the rather sedate color "centerfold" of an undressed woman, as by the black and white photos that accompanied them. These showed an ordinary woman (I believe it was Janet Pilgrim) entering an office building in Chicago, and being made up for her "pictorial." Made up! Two makeup artists were shown applying powders and creams to her flesh. This electrified me. It made Pilgrim a real person. In an interview she spoke of her life and ambitions.
- 11/7/2010
- by Roger Ebert
- blogs.suntimes.com/ebert
Before I could ask Brigitte Berman about the mixed reception that her new documentary about Playboy founder Hugh Hefner has received, she wanted to make one thing clear: "You cannot do a valentine piece. You must not. If you do, you discredit everything."
For some, Hefner will never receive much credit, but that is exactly what Berman attempts to rectify in "Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel," a leisurely biography that's very much like his glossy magazine: an easy sell because of the busty bombshells found within its pages, but just as seductive for its willingness to inject itself into the politics and culture of the era.
Alongside the centerfolds, Berman offers up a different definition of T & A in regards to Hefner, chronicling his tenacity and ambition as an innovator of cross-platform media, a savvy tastemaker, and a champion of the First Amendment who used his many outlets...
For some, Hefner will never receive much credit, but that is exactly what Berman attempts to rectify in "Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel," a leisurely biography that's very much like his glossy magazine: an easy sell because of the busty bombshells found within its pages, but just as seductive for its willingness to inject itself into the politics and culture of the era.
Alongside the centerfolds, Berman offers up a different definition of T & A in regards to Hefner, chronicling his tenacity and ambition as an innovator of cross-platform media, a savvy tastemaker, and a champion of the First Amendment who used his many outlets...
- 8/2/2010
- by Stephen Saito
- ifc.com
In Brigitte Berman’s new film, Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel, the Academy Award winning Canadian filmmaker profiles the outspoken, flamboyant founder of the Playboy empire and reveals Hefner as both a hedonistic playboy, but, more importantly, as the man who’s been a groundbreaking advocate and catalyst for First Amendment rights and social and racial justice.
When Hefner launched Playboy magazine in 1953, he became a champion of the sexual revolution and, immediately, the forces of Church and State initiated a war against him that raged over the decades. With humor and insight, Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel captures Hefner’s fierce battles with the government, the religious right, and militant feminists. The film also features compelling interviews with a remarkable Who’s Who of the decades and rare footage that present a snapshot of the life of an extraordinary man and the controversies that surrounded him.
When Hefner launched Playboy magazine in 1953, he became a champion of the sexual revolution and, immediately, the forces of Church and State initiated a war against him that raged over the decades. With humor and insight, Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel captures Hefner’s fierce battles with the government, the religious right, and militant feminists. The film also features compelling interviews with a remarkable Who’s Who of the decades and rare footage that present a snapshot of the life of an extraordinary man and the controversies that surrounded him.
- 7/30/2010
- by Sheila Roberts
- Collider.com
Brigitte Berman delves into the secret hidden life of the iconic magazine entrepreneur
Most people know Hugh Hefner as a robe-wearing eternal youth playboy who built his empire of beautiful women and luxurious lifestyle choices from the ground up. In her new film Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel, director Brigitte Berman exposes this iconic figurehead of the prominent men's magazine as a Civil Rights Leader, a law changer, and a harbinger of ethical enlightenment. With her great new documentary, we are given insight into the behind-the-scenes struggles Hugh has had to overcome these past seventy years to become one of the most trusted brand names in entertainment. If you think you know Hugh M. Hefner for all he's worth, Brigitte Berman's upcoming film will have you seeing this interminable bachelor in a whole new light.
We recently caught up with Brigitte to chat with her about the film and Mr.
Most people know Hugh Hefner as a robe-wearing eternal youth playboy who built his empire of beautiful women and luxurious lifestyle choices from the ground up. In her new film Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel, director Brigitte Berman exposes this iconic figurehead of the prominent men's magazine as a Civil Rights Leader, a law changer, and a harbinger of ethical enlightenment. With her great new documentary, we are given insight into the behind-the-scenes struggles Hugh has had to overcome these past seventy years to become one of the most trusted brand names in entertainment. If you think you know Hugh M. Hefner for all he's worth, Brigitte Berman's upcoming film will have you seeing this interminable bachelor in a whole new light.
We recently caught up with Brigitte to chat with her about the film and Mr.
- 7/28/2010
- MovieWeb
Inside Deep Throat
PARK CITY -- Deep Throat is still the most successful indie film ever made, a $25,000 porn flick released in 1972 that may have grossed -- no one was really counting -- $600 million. So what better place to premiere Inside Deep Throat, a film by Sundance veterans Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato (The Eyes of Tammy Faye), than here at the king of indie fests?
The docu turns out to be an often provocative and perceptive look at the history of the porn business in America, the cultural wars the movie fed into and the lives of some who worked on the film.
Since forces on the right are currently galvanized for a renewed attack on civil liberties and freedom of expression, Inside Deep Throat is making a timely appearance. The film, which Universal will release nationally Feb. 11, looks like another documentary boxoffice winner.
When asked about the landmark film he made more than 30 years ago, director Gerard Damiano (a.k.a. Jerry Gerard) admits, "No, I don't think it's a very good movie." Which has to be the most irrelevant fact one can state about Deep Throat.
A poorly shot, absurd sex comedy constructed around its star's remarkable ability at fellatio, the movie opened in Times Square at the height of the war being waged by the counterculture and sexual liberation movements against a belligerent establishment. While Erica Jong's comment that suddenly sex was out of the closet may be overstating things, the movie certainly marked the first time grandmothers stood in line to watch porn and talk show hosts and The New York Times could make references to a sex act, then considered illicit in some states, which few had any trouble understanding.
The movie traces several themes emanating from this cultural phenomenon. First there are the damaged lives of the film's stars, Linda Lovelace and Harry Reems, an assistant camera drafted into the male starring role while on location in Florida. Then there is the growth of porn, which many filmmakers and artists saw as having artistic as well as commercial potential if it could cross over into the mainstream. That never happened.
The film also navigates through the legal and political battles this film and others faced including a presidential commission's investigation into pornography and society, which was roundly ignored by the government when the commission reached the "wrong" conclusions.
For the most part, Bailey and Barbato succeed in weaving together these various themes, thanks to smart editing by William Grayburn and Jeremy Simmons. Linda Lovelace, who disowned the film in a memoir that claimed she shot it under duress, later seemed to embrace her former image in a sexy magazine layout. She died in an auto accident in 2002 dead broke, according to her sister.
Reems suffered federal prosecution. While he prevailed, this sent his life into a downward spiral of alcoholism. Thankfully, he has recovered and lives here in Park City, where he has a real estate license.
For interviews, the filmmakers astutely cast a wide net, bringing before their cameras people not always connected to the film yet with insight into the issues it raised. These talking heads include Norman Mailer, Helen Gurley Brown, Susan Brownmiller, Alan Dershowitz, Camille Paglia, Gore Vidal and Reems' zealous prosecutor, Larry Parrish. A narration delivered by Dennis Hopper is unobtrusive, appearing only when necessary.
The salient point here is that Deep Throat can be seen as one of the first battles of the culture wars that still divide this nation. The choice of interviewees tilt the viewpoint heavily in favor of freedom of expression, yet both sides conclude that damage has been done and the wars are far from over.
There seems to be no middle ground on this issue, just as there never was any intersection between mainstream and porn. Movies such as Last Tango in Paris and, more recently, 9 Songs hint at the possibilities. But when an actor such as Reems can be hauled into court for accepting a movie role, little wonder those possibilities remain unexplored.
INSIDE DEEP THROAT
Universal Pictures
An Imagine Entertainment in association with HBO Documentary Films presentation of a Brian Grazer Production in association with World of Wonder
Credits:
Writers/directors: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Producer: Brian Grazer, Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Co-producer: Mona Card
Executive producer: Kim Roth
Directors of photography: David Kempner, Teodoro Maniaci
Editors: William Grayburn, Jeremy Simmons
Music: David Steinberg
MPAA rating: NC-17
Running time -- 88 minutes...
The docu turns out to be an often provocative and perceptive look at the history of the porn business in America, the cultural wars the movie fed into and the lives of some who worked on the film.
Since forces on the right are currently galvanized for a renewed attack on civil liberties and freedom of expression, Inside Deep Throat is making a timely appearance. The film, which Universal will release nationally Feb. 11, looks like another documentary boxoffice winner.
When asked about the landmark film he made more than 30 years ago, director Gerard Damiano (a.k.a. Jerry Gerard) admits, "No, I don't think it's a very good movie." Which has to be the most irrelevant fact one can state about Deep Throat.
A poorly shot, absurd sex comedy constructed around its star's remarkable ability at fellatio, the movie opened in Times Square at the height of the war being waged by the counterculture and sexual liberation movements against a belligerent establishment. While Erica Jong's comment that suddenly sex was out of the closet may be overstating things, the movie certainly marked the first time grandmothers stood in line to watch porn and talk show hosts and The New York Times could make references to a sex act, then considered illicit in some states, which few had any trouble understanding.
The movie traces several themes emanating from this cultural phenomenon. First there are the damaged lives of the film's stars, Linda Lovelace and Harry Reems, an assistant camera drafted into the male starring role while on location in Florida. Then there is the growth of porn, which many filmmakers and artists saw as having artistic as well as commercial potential if it could cross over into the mainstream. That never happened.
The film also navigates through the legal and political battles this film and others faced including a presidential commission's investigation into pornography and society, which was roundly ignored by the government when the commission reached the "wrong" conclusions.
For the most part, Bailey and Barbato succeed in weaving together these various themes, thanks to smart editing by William Grayburn and Jeremy Simmons. Linda Lovelace, who disowned the film in a memoir that claimed she shot it under duress, later seemed to embrace her former image in a sexy magazine layout. She died in an auto accident in 2002 dead broke, according to her sister.
Reems suffered federal prosecution. While he prevailed, this sent his life into a downward spiral of alcoholism. Thankfully, he has recovered and lives here in Park City, where he has a real estate license.
For interviews, the filmmakers astutely cast a wide net, bringing before their cameras people not always connected to the film yet with insight into the issues it raised. These talking heads include Norman Mailer, Helen Gurley Brown, Susan Brownmiller, Alan Dershowitz, Camille Paglia, Gore Vidal and Reems' zealous prosecutor, Larry Parrish. A narration delivered by Dennis Hopper is unobtrusive, appearing only when necessary.
The salient point here is that Deep Throat can be seen as one of the first battles of the culture wars that still divide this nation. The choice of interviewees tilt the viewpoint heavily in favor of freedom of expression, yet both sides conclude that damage has been done and the wars are far from over.
There seems to be no middle ground on this issue, just as there never was any intersection between mainstream and porn. Movies such as Last Tango in Paris and, more recently, 9 Songs hint at the possibilities. But when an actor such as Reems can be hauled into court for accepting a movie role, little wonder those possibilities remain unexplored.
INSIDE DEEP THROAT
Universal Pictures
An Imagine Entertainment in association with HBO Documentary Films presentation of a Brian Grazer Production in association with World of Wonder
Credits:
Writers/directors: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Producer: Brian Grazer, Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Co-producer: Mona Card
Executive producer: Kim Roth
Directors of photography: David Kempner, Teodoro Maniaci
Editors: William Grayburn, Jeremy Simmons
Music: David Steinberg
MPAA rating: NC-17
Running time -- 88 minutes...
- 3/8/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Inside Deep Throat
PARK CITY -- Deep Throat is still the most successful indie film ever made, a $25,000 porn flick released in 1972 that may have grossed -- no one was really counting -- $600 million. So what better place to premiere Inside Deep Throat, a film by Sundance veterans Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato (The Eyes of Tammy Faye), than here at the king of indie fests?
The docu turns out to be an often provocative and perceptive look at the history of the porn business in America, the cultural wars the movie fed into and the lives of some who worked on the film.
Since forces on the right are currently galvanized for a renewed attack on civil liberties and freedom of expression, Inside Deep Throat is making a timely appearance. The film, which Universal will release nationally Feb. 11, looks like another documentary boxoffice winner.
When asked about the landmark film he made more than 30 years ago, director Gerard Damiano (a.k.a. Jerry Gerard) admits, "No, I don't think it's a very good movie." Which has to be the most irrelevant fact one can state about Deep Throat.
A poorly shot, absurd sex comedy constructed around its star's remarkable ability at fellatio, the movie opened in Times Square at the height of the war being waged by the counterculture and sexual liberation movements against a belligerent establishment. While Erica Jong's comment that suddenly sex was out of the closet may be overstating things, the movie certainly marked the first time grandmothers stood in line to watch porn and talk show hosts and The New York Times could make references to a sex act, then considered illicit in some states, which few had any trouble understanding.
The movie traces several themes emanating from this cultural phenomenon. First there are the damaged lives of the film's stars, Linda Lovelace and Harry Reems, an assistant camera drafted into the male starring role while on location in Florida. Then there is the growth of porn, which many filmmakers and artists saw as having artistic as well as commercial potential if it could cross over into the mainstream. That never happened.
The film also navigates through the legal and political battles this film and others faced including a presidential commission's investigation into pornography and society, which was roundly ignored by the government when the commission reached the "wrong" conclusions.
For the most part, Bailey and Barbato succeed in weaving together these various themes, thanks to smart editing by William Grayburn and Jeremy Simmons. Linda Lovelace, who disowned the film in a memoir that claimed she shot it under duress, later seemed to embrace her former image in a sexy magazine layout. She died in an auto accident in 2002 dead broke, according to her sister.
Reems suffered federal prosecution. While he prevailed, this sent his life into a downward spiral of alcoholism. Thankfully, he has recovered and lives here in Park City, where he has a real estate license.
For interviews, the filmmakers astutely cast a wide net, bringing before their cameras people not always connected to the film yet with insight into the issues it raised. These talking heads include Norman Mailer, Helen Gurley Brown, Susan Brownmiller, Alan Dershowitz, Camille Paglia, Gore Vidal and Reems' zealous prosecutor, Larry Parrish. A narration delivered by Dennis Hopper is unobtrusive, appearing only when necessary.
The salient point here is that Deep Throat can be seen as one of the first battles of the culture wars that still divide this nation. The choice of interviewees tilt the viewpoint heavily in favor of freedom of expression, yet both sides conclude that damage has been done and the wars are far from over.
There seems to be no middle ground on this issue, just as there never was any intersection between mainstream and porn. Movies such as Last Tango in Paris and, more recently, 9 Songs hint at the possibilities. But when an actor such as Reems can be hauled into court for accepting a movie role, little wonder those possibilities remain unexplored.
INSIDE DEEP THROAT
Universal Pictures
An Imagine Entertainment in association with HBO Documentary Films presentation of a Brian Grazer Production in association with World of Wonder
Credits:
Writers/directors: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Producer: Brian Grazer, Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Co-producer: Mona Card
Executive producer: Kim Roth
Directors of photography: David Kempner, Teodoro Maniaci
Editors: William Grayburn, Jeremy Simmons
Music: David Steinberg
MPAA rating: NC-17
Running time -- 88 minutes...
The docu turns out to be an often provocative and perceptive look at the history of the porn business in America, the cultural wars the movie fed into and the lives of some who worked on the film.
Since forces on the right are currently galvanized for a renewed attack on civil liberties and freedom of expression, Inside Deep Throat is making a timely appearance. The film, which Universal will release nationally Feb. 11, looks like another documentary boxoffice winner.
When asked about the landmark film he made more than 30 years ago, director Gerard Damiano (a.k.a. Jerry Gerard) admits, "No, I don't think it's a very good movie." Which has to be the most irrelevant fact one can state about Deep Throat.
A poorly shot, absurd sex comedy constructed around its star's remarkable ability at fellatio, the movie opened in Times Square at the height of the war being waged by the counterculture and sexual liberation movements against a belligerent establishment. While Erica Jong's comment that suddenly sex was out of the closet may be overstating things, the movie certainly marked the first time grandmothers stood in line to watch porn and talk show hosts and The New York Times could make references to a sex act, then considered illicit in some states, which few had any trouble understanding.
The movie traces several themes emanating from this cultural phenomenon. First there are the damaged lives of the film's stars, Linda Lovelace and Harry Reems, an assistant camera drafted into the male starring role while on location in Florida. Then there is the growth of porn, which many filmmakers and artists saw as having artistic as well as commercial potential if it could cross over into the mainstream. That never happened.
The film also navigates through the legal and political battles this film and others faced including a presidential commission's investigation into pornography and society, which was roundly ignored by the government when the commission reached the "wrong" conclusions.
For the most part, Bailey and Barbato succeed in weaving together these various themes, thanks to smart editing by William Grayburn and Jeremy Simmons. Linda Lovelace, who disowned the film in a memoir that claimed she shot it under duress, later seemed to embrace her former image in a sexy magazine layout. She died in an auto accident in 2002 dead broke, according to her sister.
Reems suffered federal prosecution. While he prevailed, this sent his life into a downward spiral of alcoholism. Thankfully, he has recovered and lives here in Park City, where he has a real estate license.
For interviews, the filmmakers astutely cast a wide net, bringing before their cameras people not always connected to the film yet with insight into the issues it raised. These talking heads include Norman Mailer, Helen Gurley Brown, Susan Brownmiller, Alan Dershowitz, Camille Paglia, Gore Vidal and Reems' zealous prosecutor, Larry Parrish. A narration delivered by Dennis Hopper is unobtrusive, appearing only when necessary.
The salient point here is that Deep Throat can be seen as one of the first battles of the culture wars that still divide this nation. The choice of interviewees tilt the viewpoint heavily in favor of freedom of expression, yet both sides conclude that damage has been done and the wars are far from over.
There seems to be no middle ground on this issue, just as there never was any intersection between mainstream and porn. Movies such as Last Tango in Paris and, more recently, 9 Songs hint at the possibilities. But when an actor such as Reems can be hauled into court for accepting a movie role, little wonder those possibilities remain unexplored.
INSIDE DEEP THROAT
Universal Pictures
An Imagine Entertainment in association with HBO Documentary Films presentation of a Brian Grazer Production in association with World of Wonder
Credits:
Writers/directors: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Producer: Brian Grazer, Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Co-producer: Mona Card
Executive producer: Kim Roth
Directors of photography: David Kempner, Teodoro Maniaci
Editors: William Grayburn, Jeremy Simmons
Music: David Steinberg
MPAA rating: NC-17
Running time -- 88 minutes...
- 1/24/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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