Review of The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996) by Eve C — 20 Feb 2011

I feel as though the movie would've been better had it focused more on just a couple of key cases. By spanning from the start and rise of Hustler and several cases and Flynt's personal life the film can't really do justice to any of it.

Because, quite frankly, what I find most interesting is those major first amendment cases (the suit and countersuit with Jerry Falwell and the following Supreme Court case particularly). In his first lawsuit, he's found guilty and is taken to jail.

Then immediately afterwards he's out with no explanation of A.) how long it's been or B.) how he got out. When he finds religion, he's baptized and a few minutes later, after being shot, declares that there is no God.

These events are forced to be breezed past because they try to do so much in the movie. The movie would've been better served as courtroom drama than as straight up biopic. Because, again, with the court stuff, they can't get too much into his personal life, his marriage, and trouble with depression and painkiller addiction.

Focus, the movie needed focus. However, Woody Harrelson is quite good as Flynt. The rest of the cast is good as well.