Review of After Porn Ends (2012) by Tom D — 26 Apr 2014

Rather interesting documentary talking to various porn starts of yesteryear and what happens after they leave the industry. Although most of the adult film stars interviewed for the film seem fairly together, they all seem pretty upfront that they were pretty messed up in different ways that led to them getting into X-Rated films in the first place.

Overall, it's a pretty sad picture of people who led messed up lived before porn, most had short lived fame and were not smart with their money, and after porn are looked down upon society and stigmatized for the rest of their lives.

MENSA member and ex-porn star Asia Carerra probably has the most interesting story, becoming the first Asian to break the race barrier for an Asian woman in mainstream porn and then when she left the business, she moved to Utah where porn is illegal so that she could raise her kids in a conservative community where she would be less likely to be recognized.

That's somewhat of what's missing from this film, different paths stars have taken after porn. Most all of the stories are ones of overcoming addictions, public demonizing, and financial struggles.

Compared to wrestling documentary, "Against the Ropes" it compared a star in their prime, and up and comer and one at a tragic end of their careers. This film told pretty much the same story, though they really never told the stories of those who were really destroyed themselves by the industry.

However, it was kind of interesting to see what happened to all these porn stars I remember seeing when I was a video store clerk restocking the creepy over 18 section.