The People vs. Larry Flynt Movie Review 1996

Controversy surrounded director Forman's look at unrepentant pornographer and Hustler Magazine publisher, Larry Flynt (Harrelson). While feminists decried what they saw as a whitewash of Flynt's career, Forman insisted his movie was about Flynt's legal battles concerning the First Amendment and freedom of speech. If you can set aside your prejudices, you'll find a master storyteller at work and some great performances from Harrelson as Flynt, Love as his drug-addicted and ultimately tragic wife Althea, and Norton as Flynt's sometimes impatient attorney, Alan Isaacman, who does get his big moment before the U.S. Supreme Court (his speeches are taken from actual court transcripts).

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 130 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

True Stories, Order in the Court, Pornography, This Is Your Life, Law & Lawyers, Drug Use & Abuse, Physical Problems

Screenplay

Larry Karaszewski, Scott M. Alexander

Cast

Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love, Edward Norton, James Cromwell, Crispin Glover, Brett Harrelson, James Carville, Vincent Schiavelli, Richard Paul, Donna Hanover, Norm MacDonald, Miles Chapin, Jan Triska

Cinematography

Philippe Rousselot

Director

Milos Forman

Music

Thomas Newman

Other

Larry Flynt

Producer

Janet Yang, Michael Hausman, Oliver Stone, Phoenix Films, Ixtlan Production, Columbia Pictures

Awards

Golden Globes 1997: Director (Forman), Screenplay; L.A. Film Critics 1996: Support. Actor (Norton); Natl. Bd. of Review 1996: Support. Actor (Norton); N.Y. Film Critics 1996: Support. Actress (Love).