LOVELACE

2013 / Director. Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman.

The 1972 porno film DEEP THROAT changed the pornographic film industry and put x-rated movies into mainstream cinemas. It's story is legendary and so too is the life of its star, Linda Lovelace. She became an international superstar and became an unlikely champion of female empowerment. The story behind the scenes was not so glamorous and her life was controlled by an abusive and drug addicted husband who beat her, raped her and forced her into prostitution. Some years after leaving her husband, Lovelace denounced pornography and lead a campaign against it. The film LOVELACE bases it's insight from Linda's own autobiography and assumes her account to be an honest one. Controversy surrounds her accounts, however, and many industry people believe her recollection to be distorted (the film neglects the fact that she participated in bestiality flicks). With all of that aside, LOVELACE is an excellent film. A natural comparison is BOOGIE NIGHTS and the two films are excellent companions. The 70s era is realised beautifully and it's set design is entirely convincing. Nothing is overdone or exaggerated (American Hustle?) and the film has been cast brilliantly. Thank God Lindsay Lohan was fired from the film because Amanda Seyfried OWNS this performance. This is unlike anything you've seen her do before and she should be commended for her courage to take on such a brave and audacious role (she is also super hot with those big brown eyes). Peter Sarsgaard plays her husband and he deserves equal acclaim for stepping into such an unlikable, vile and deplorable character. He is excellent in this. The rest of cast plays out like a Robert Altman film with notable performances from Sharon Stone, Robert Patrick, Hank Azaria, Adam Brody, James Franco and a cavalcade of countless other respectable names. All are very good with Stone and Patrick being the stand-outs. Not all of the big names were necessary with some appearing on screen fleetingly (Sarah Jessica Parker was cut out entirely) and you wonder why they bothered trying to cram so many in? The film itself is powerful and captures Linda Lovelace's story the way she wanted it to be told. I have no doubt that most of it is true and don't at all mind that there may be many false-truths and liberties taken. It's as true as it needs to be. 

---