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The People Vs Larry Flynt
1996
Beautifully directed by Czech emigre Milos Forman, this insightful work ironically exposes the strange and controversial life of Larry Flynt (Woody Harrelson), the publisher of the ultra-raunchy porn magazine Hustler. The film chronicles three events that Flynt is best known for: a Supreme Court battle that made him an unlikely .. Read more
| Starring | Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love, Edward Norton |
|---|---|
| Director | Milos Forman |
| Genres | Drama |
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The People Vs Larry Flynt
Beautifully directed by Czech emigre Milos Forman, this insightful work ironically exposes the strange and controversial life of Larry Flynt (Woody Harrelson), the publisher of the ultra-raunchy porn magazine Hustler. The film chronicles three events that Flynt is best known for: a Supreme Court battle that made him an unlikely poster boy for the First Amendment; an assassination attempt that rendered him paralyzed from the waist down; and his battles with Moral Majority leader Jerry Falwell. The film also provides insight into lesser-known areas of Flynt's life, particularly his relationship with soulmate Althea Leasure (played shamelessly by rocker Courtney Love), a sleazy, drug-addicted wildcat who was wholly devoted to Flynt. Leasure provided the balance that Flynt needed in his incredible life up until her AIDS-related death in 1987. The screenplay by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski proves to be a powerful parable that bravely explores the intricacies of freedom of speech.
| Starring | Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love, Edward Norton |
|---|---|
| Director | Milos Forman |
| Studio | UCA |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 4 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Subtitles | DVD: Arabic, Czech, English, Hindi, Hungarian, Polish, Russian |
| Released | DVD: 10 Aug 1998 Production year: 1996 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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America's most notorious and successful pornographer is played with red-blooded bawdiness by Woody Harrelson in this sanitised biopic. A long way from Amadeus, director Milos Forman would have you believe that obscenity is therapy as he charts Larry Flynt's rise from the Kentucky backwoods to run a series of strip clubs and publish explicit nude magazines such as Hustler. But he's made a film entertaining enough to gain him and Harrelson Oscar nominations. However, the real tour de force comes from Courtney Love as Flynt's stripper wife, Althea Leasure.
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"...A vastly entertaining lesson in the importance of the Fifth Amendment....Along the way, it also tells a poignant and powerful love story, one sparked by a sensational performance by rock star Courtney Love..."
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Most helpful member's review
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8 out of 8 people found this review helpful
The Porn King
Oscar Winning Milos Forman's The People Vs. Larry Flynt is a fascinating (if not too trashy) look at how without the American first amendment; people like Flynt would not exist. We see an expose on the man, myth and legend of master porno publisher Larry Flynt (played to damn close perfection by Oscar nominated Woody Harrelson) who releases Hustler Magazineand gets severe backlash from censors, church people and just people in general. But, we see his struggle to fight back at any cost (even his legs) to send a message- just because you don't like doesn't mean you can't let me publish what I want. Forman directs this pumped drama with 5-star performances from Harrelson, Love (as the tragedy queen girlfriend) and Especially Norton (as the suffering yet compelling lawyer). Never ashamed and always On the edge, this film has a place not only in film history, but in Hustler magazine's also. The real Flynt appears as a Cincinnati judge and Norm MacDonald appears as a reporter.
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Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
An interesting story well told
Milos Forman shows his talent as a director again by keeping the pace and interest in this movie at a constant high. Woody Harrelson is always great to watch and Courtney Love does a very good job, even if she is probably just playing herself. Ed Norton also shows his potential in an early performance. It's the life of an eccentric porn publisher but the real story is much bigger than that, it's about freedom of speech and what that means. Very funny in places, a little tragic and definitely well worth a watch.
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News and features
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The Other Woody
- 06 Aug 2007
'I'm not naïve, I'm superficial,' Woody Harrelson declares in Paul Schrader's new film, The Walker. Some people would suggest the actor has it the wrong way round. After all, he first planted himself in the public eye playing the dumbest jock on television in eight seasons of the sitcom Cheers. I've met Harrelson twice. The first time he was promoting Natural Born Killers, and I was impressed with how honestly he discussed his own anger issues. He talked about Jung and the need to explore your Read more
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Beautifully directed by Czech emigre Milos Forman, this insightful work ironically exposes the strange and controversial life of Larry Flynt (Woody Harrelson), the publisher of the ultra-raunchy porn ... -