The Pornographer
Jeffery Mingo | Homewood, IL USA | 08/31/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This documentary fleshes out and substantiates matters portrayed in "The People vs. Larry Flynt."
The documentary tries hard to be even-handed. Hugh Hefner is seen along with anti-porn feminists like Steinem and the late Andrea Dworkin. Usually A&E show spouses and children because parents are dead by the time their children become famous. However, this work interviews Flynt's father and daughters.
Flynt faced sexual molestation, false criminal accusations, as well as maiming. Whether one is for or against pornography, one can sympathize with some of the ways that he has suffered. I love that class is brought up in this American work when many citizens (falsely) assert that "We're all middle-class."
I never realized it until this, but Flynt is a redhead. (Move over, Conan O'Brien and Carrot Top!) While his disability is covered, the work never explains why Flynt has slurred speech. I do not find Woody Harrelson sexy (though in "Play It to the Bone" he showed he had a firm, bubblicious booty) but he looked appealing wearing the American flag as Speedos. However, seeing the real Larry Flynt wear the flag like a diaper was not erotic in the least. (Prepared to be horrified!)
The documentary mentioned Flynt's late wife Althea. Given the increased attention to bisexual women and HIV-positive women in the media, I really hope someone writes a biography of her or that Biography makes a work dedicated mostly to her life."