Review of The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996) by Luke P — 23 Feb 2008

Charting the life of Hustler magazine founder Larry Flynt, from hillbilly child to strip club owner, to magazine founder, to his finding (and losing) of God, through his various court cases, assassination attempt, and struggle with paralysis.

Flynt is a very interesting character, played with vigor and no shame by Woody Harrelson, and your opinion of the film will probably depend on how you feel about Flynt and the job he does. The film itself though is more about the American First Amendment (right to free speech), and the contradictory nature of the Bill of Rights.

The film is electrifying when Flynt and his lawyer (a superb Edward Norton) are taking on the court, particularly the final scenes in the Supreme Court. I found it quite fun watching Larry Flynt taking on the prude right wingers and religious fanatics, (although I don't like pornography myself, I like people to have the right to choose), and it will probably be this factor that determines your enjoyment, as the film is slightly more on the side of Flynt and co than it is the courts and religious protesters.

An interesting film, lead by several top performances (including Courtney Love), and directed non-fussily by Milos Forman (One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest).