Lovelace (2013)

Directors: Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Peter Sarsgaard, Hank Azaria, Adam Brody, James Franco, Sharon Stone

More info: IMDb

Tagline: A marks the legend.

Plot: In 1972—long before the Internet porn explosion of today—Deep Throat became a cultural phenomenon. As the first pornographic feature film to be embraced by mainstream audiences, Deep Throat took a multitude of risks: it boasted a plot, humor, and an unknown and unlikely star named Linda Lovelace.

Lovelace tells the story behind the phenomenon. Fleeing her strict religious family, Linda Boreman falls for charismatic hustler Chuck Traynor, who launches her pornography career. Reborn as “Linda Lovelace,” the charming girl next door skyrockets to international sensation with her uncanny capacity for fellatio. Fully inhabiting this new identity, Linda becomes a spokesperson for sexual freedom and hedonism. But six years later, she reveals a far more sinister narrative—the dark secrets of her own life story.

My rating: 7.5/10

Will I watch it again? Nah, I think once was fine.

Who knew porn could be such a downer?  I remember as a teen when Linda Lovelace released her book and she caused quite a stir.  I specifically remember her getting a lot of shit for it.  Now I know why.  This picture isn't pretty.  This is yet another world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.  It's got the occasional laugh but that changes once the film takes a tonal shift.  The film is split into four sections.  The first shows us the set up, how Linda met Chuck Traynor, the man who showed Linda the path to porn.  Part two has Linda getting involved and the immediate success and fame of DEEP THROAT (1972).  Part three is the real kick in the guts - we get to see most of parts one and two but from Linda's point of view.  This is what sets this film apart from most biographical pictures.  We get to see a different and much darker portrait of what happened as Linda tells it.  The fourth is the shortest segment that deals with Linda's post porn life.  Did you know that she only spent 17 days making X-rated films?  I didn't.

The performances are very good focusing mostly on Amanda Seyfried.  She's terrific.  There are some familiar faces, my favorite being Bobby Cannavale who recently made a huge splash playing Gyp Rosetti in BOARDWALK EMPIRE.  LOVELACE is pretty damn depressing but it is interesting to see her side and one that is considerably darker than what we're used to.  When I get home I'll have to do a double feature one night with DEEP THROAT and the documentary , INSIDE DEEP THROAT (2005) to educate myself fully.  Knowledge is king, isn't it?