Review of The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996) by Fritzmichel G — 24 Oct 2011

Thios is a biopic about the life, career, and mostly, the legal troubles of Hustler Magazine publisher :Larry Flynt. Say what you will about the man's personal life, antics, and the business that he is a part of. You don't have to like the man or what he does (even his attorney admits he doesn't care for pornography), but you cannot deny that he made some important contributions to American spciety by giving people jobs, but more importantly fighting for basic constitutional rights.

Like everything, there is a bias here that favors Flynt, and makes him out to be a rather sympathetic guy. The film also takes liberties as expected, but overall, this is more about ideas, concepts, and principles, than the story of a man who went from being a bootlegger as a kid to one of the biggest proprietors of smut. All of that is in this film of course, but Milos Forman and the writers put more focus on the former than the latter, as I think they should. I am disappointed that they might have been too sympathetic and less acknowledging of Flynt's less savory side, but they don't completely ignore it. Also, even with an R rating, they could have gotten away with showing just a tad more of the risque stuff that made Flynt legendary.

The real Larry Flynt, when asked who he thought should play him responded with Michael Douglas. His wish was not granted, but Woody Harrelson does a pretty good job, even if he's not a complete ringer. He's the focus, but he's backed by a notable cast including his real life brother as Flynt's brother, Courtney Love (who is surprisingly pretty good) as his troubled (4th) wife Althea, whom he realy truly did love, Edward Norton as his attorney Alan Isaacman, as well as bit parts fulfilled by Vincent Schiavelli, Crispin Glover, and James Cromwell.,.

As stated, Woody is really good, Love is good, Norton is pretty decent, and the bit players are good, albeit underfocused on. I don't know if all of the trials Larry Flynt went through are featured here, but it covers some major ones, most significantly Hustler Magazine V. Falwell in which televangelist Larry Falwell sued Flynt over an unflattering albeit satirical parody that suggested Falwell lsot his virginity to his mother in an outhouse. Since this is a fairly well known case, I don't think I'm really spoiling it by saying who won considering the verdict is quite a landmark and is more significant than maybe most people realize or are aware of...it was Flynt.

With the content of the film and the ideas that are being defended therein, it really didn't move me. They were preaching to the choir. I agree wit hsome of what Flynt fought for, and I actually do have respect for the man, though he really isn't the savoriest of people. I've seen interviews with the real Larry, and despite what he does, he is a rather classy and smart guy. It doesn't seem that way in the movie (at least hardly ever), but hey, this is entertainment, not a documentary.

You should give this a look. It's got good performances, capable direction, a decent script and is just a joy to watch.