Review of Author: The JT LeRoy Story (2016) by Kevin A — 19 Sep 2016

Fascinating, thought provoking and mysterious in many ways, this hybrid exploration of the world of abandonment, gender identity, celebrity, international publishing and the Canne Film Festival is thoroughly engrossing.

Throughout, the use of sound clips, graphics, narration, old family photos and home movies are mixed together for an intoxicating blend of documentary reveal and hide and seek in various personalities.

There is also betrayal and the cheeky insecurity at the intersection of Hollywood and Simon & Schuster. That so many could be so easily fooled for so long raises serious questions about the accept anything if it's groovy attitude so prevalent since the 60's.

I highly recommend this as an excellent exploration of the worlds of pop stardom, egotistical publishing and wink wink nod nod gotcha journalism. JT LeRoy never existed, but you can't tell that to Billy Corgan, Courtney Love (she is real train wreck who pauses a phone call to snort a line of cocaine), Michael Stipe and even Bono, all of whom are taken in by JT LeRoy's spell.

I've never seen a film quite like this before and it required concentration while watching to sort out all the twisty roads presented simultaneously.