Audience Member
The life & times of a true American Hero told in his own words. If you cherish your civil liberties then you can thank Larry Flint for being this countries most ardent defender of civil liberties.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/16/23
Full Review
walter m
I like Larry Flynt. Sue me.
Part of my appreciation for him also fuels my liking of "Larry Flynt: The Right to Be Left Alone," a documentary which details his life and controversial career in publishing Hustler Magazine, which along with printing graphic photos of naked women, also provocatively slaughters the sacred cows of modern society, mischievously reminding us that religious and political leaders to have the same bodily functions as the rest of us, with a particular emphasis on hypocrites. A lot of this I already knew from watching "The People vs. Larry Flynt" but it was still interesting to see the archival footage, especially one scene where he challenges a prosecutor by asking him what is more obscene, war or pornography?(Charles Keating was one of the most fervent attackers.) Flynt still got about 25 years in his initial verdict. He was also shot and paralyzed from the waist down, presumably for publishing a photoshoot of a black man and a white woman. So, you can see despite his reputation, why he makes a perfect champion of free speech, as he has suffered for your sins. But I don't know how influential he has been, as the movie tries to connect his personal brand of satire to The Daily Show. Some impartial commentary would have helped. On a personal note, Hustler Magazine has never done anything for me, as it is more gynecological in its approach towards the female form than its competitors, so I just decide not to read it.(If memory serves me correctly, Flynt briefly published Pure Magazine which was an adult magazine by women and about women which I found much more stimulating.) That wasn't so hard, was it?
(Originally reviewed in the blog section 5/19/10.)
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
Audience Member
A couple things become obvious when watching this documentary of sorts: 1. Woody Harrelson was spot-on in The People vs Larry Flynt, and 2. Disgusting as he may or may not be, Flynt is one fine representative of the First Amendment.
I don't prefer Flynt's brand of pornography but support his right to show it. But he really became so much more than that, and that's the part I respect. He's pretty vulgar even without the porn, but I can find much to disagree with him about. I wish myself and others had the balls to say the things he said in court, about our government, etc.
This is no great movie, just mostly some clips of him talking about this and that. But if you dislike the current system, you'll definitely get some laughs out of what he says about it (and has said to its face).
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/29/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Love him or hate him you can;t ignore him. Larry Flynt is one of America's most interesting figures who is both a pornographer and political activist. This documentary gives an interesting look at the man and his life in the public eye and fighting for ''Freedom of Speech'' but also how Flynt views the world today.
Highly recomended even if you are a Flynt hater!!!!
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/17/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Leave me tha f$$k alone
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/19/23
Full Review
Audience Member
"The People Versus Larry Flynt" Hollywood Machines Flynt's trials and tribulations; this documentary looks him straight in the eye, cuts right to the man's mind and motives.
Flynt reveals street-smart and calculating. In today's world of reality-nonsense TV and circus-styled broadcast news, it's plain enough that "outrageousness, controversy and limelight sells." Flynt figured that out 40 years ago and makes no bones of it, stating outright he's a publisher looking for opportunities to sell ink. But he's far more particular about it than those other ringmasters.
Flynt, as the quick-witted prole made good, is truly (and righteously) angered by the hypocrisy and confused logic of politicians and other elitist pulpits. Antagonizing and exposing them is the method to his madness - and his money. In revealing Speaker-Elect Bob Livingston's multiple adulteries amidst the Rep's MonicaGate ravings, Flynt's cast as 'bottom-feeder.' Flynt's quip: "and look who I found down there."
It's but one example herein of Flynt's sharp mind - and of the now-forgotten "old-school" investigative journalism Flynt has delivered, journalism he laments as lost with Cronkite and Bill Paley. Gloria Steinem rants Flynt's magazine victimizes women, a stance of frequent debate. Flynt however only applies the term 'victim' to one woman in 75 minutes, Pvt. Jessica Lynch. Debate that.
In many ways, Flynt reveals as intelligent, as someone demanding the right to profit from peddling poor taste and apple-cart tipping - and as someone who relishes companionship of beautiful woman. And reveals cunning enough to focus on using and decrying some serious shortcomings of American leadership, law and ethics in order to get that profit and company. Plenty of the power/money elite have done far worse to America, albeit far more subtly and tastefully.
RECOMMENDATION: A fascinating character study. If you see one, see both; they're well-paired bookends.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/14/23
Full Review
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