Review of Inside Deep Throat (2005) by Bryan K — 02 Mar 2011
Of course, a documentary about the "Deep Throat" controversies is bound to be interesting. Narrator Dennis Hopper helps trace the phenomenon of the first hardcore film to enter the mainstream. Director Gerard Damiano and co-star Harry Reams add their first-hand perspective, while interview soundbites come from celebrities including Hugh Hefner, Larry Flynt, Helen Gurley Brown, Bill Maher, Gore Vidal, John Waters, Dick Cavett, Norman Mailer, Erica Jong and Camille Paglia. Unfortunately, "Deep Throat" star Linda Lovelace died in 2002 and thus only appears in archival clips.
The doc's first half details the creation and initial success of "Deep Throat," and is admittedly more engrossing than the legal headaches detailed in the second half. "Inside Deep Throat" was rated NC-17, but don't be too squeamish -- it probably would be rated R if not for a single (and arguably necessary) shot of Lovelace performing the curious feat that made her famous.
Until I looked up some background information tonight, I never realized that "Deep Throat" was just 61 minutes long. And yet it allegedly grossed $600 million? Wow. How unfortunate that the film's director and stars apparently didn't benefit at all from this windfall.
Says Mailer: "It was a giggle. And the worst thing that can be said about us as Americans is we'll sell our souls for a giggle.".
This review of Inside Deep Throat (2005) was written by Bryan K on 02 Mar 2011.
Inside Deep Throat has generally received positive reviews.
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