Review of The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996) by Mikko K — 12 Feb 2012

Porn is interesting genre. It has been shown in internet, magazines, midnight television and yes indeed, in cinemas. But to be fair, Hugh Hefner is the king on porn. Not saying, that I don´t watch porn or even like it, it´s one of those things, that you can argue.

Now, when there will be a biopic of Heffy, Milos Forman brought us, for my opinion, a great biopic of a guy who did not just argued the lovers of god and other people, he was the very first person of porn industry, who bring the freedom of speech as being approved.

The film itself is interesting look of this foul mouthed pervert, who found the way to express and show something different. While Playboy or Penthouse are more " clean porn " magazines, Hustler show it all. And that pissed some people way too much. When Flynt noticed, that his porn was more dirtier and disgusting than Heffy´s, he started, what I like to call " ridiculous way to anger court ". He dressed American flag as a diaper and all the other funny stuff. And not to forget, he liked being rude, so a few times cage and soft rooms were open to him and his insanity.

At the same, we see the human side of Larry. What I did get first time when seeing him as a person, that he enjoyed being Lord of porn and had a lot of money and titties and butts. But no, there´s something more than boobies. He was a complex person. He´s target to the America was to show, that we all have freedom of speech. And while he angered Jerry Falwell and some other important people, he called his best friend and loyal lawyer, Alan Isaacman, who supported him in his every single court scene. And about his relationship with her wife Althea, is for me... charming. Nothing bad to say, but she really loved Larry, but when Larry turned the jacket completely, she began to show Larry, that she was in the same room. And that disaster struck in one room.

Choices for casting is for me rather interesting. First of all, Bill Murray was first chosen to play Flynt. Not saying, that Mr. Hanks was too and Flynt´s own choice was, believe it or not, Michael Douglas. Not a bad choice. But Harrelson is just amazing. I am not sure was Flynt this smug or even genius, he really could swear and be a total a-hole. Courtney Love is pretty good. She is really good. I mean, this is the performance, that I wanna see more from her. Not saying anything, but she is perfect for casting, when ever they make a movie about Amy Winehouse. And Eddy Norton. As playing this trustful and loyal puppy lawyer is great performance. Not very high performance, but excellent. And yeah, real Flynt does a cameo.

So, what to say about this movie? It´s a great example and fictional story about a man, who did not give any chicken poo and piss about American life. He really pushed hard to remain, as the man who changed the freedom of speech for all the people.