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I'm into biographical dramas so I watched Lovelace (2013) a look at how Linda Boreman aka Linda Lovelace became the most famous porn star. The terror which forced her to enter the industry and star in the notorious film Deep Throat (1972).
Amanda Seyfried plays Linda and I thought she did a good job, I felt she captured a vulnerable, victimized yet sexy woman which is what Linda claimed she was, well not the sexy part. She met Chuck Traynor who was a nice guy at first, I guess he lured her in as he was an older man giving her attention. One night Linda was late home after a night out and her mother slapped her causing her to move away and marry Chuck. Chuck who was stuck for cash asked Linda to help him out by doing an adult movie which led her to star in Deep Throat (1972) and there was a main reason why... I think you can guess by the name of the film. Deep Throat (1972) became such a success it made like $600 million while Linda only earned $1,200. So to say she was mugged off is an understatement. Now during all this she claimed Chuck would force her to act in the film by threatening her with a gun and threatening to kill her family. He beat her and forced her to have group sex where he would keep all the money. It gets too much for her and she tells Gerry Damiano who helps her out and sets her free from the industry. The film ends with her promoting her autobiography 'Ordeal' and how the seventeen days she spent in the industry shouldn't define who she is for the rest of her life.
After the film finished I started looking up Linda Lovelace and her allegations towards Chuck Traynor. I found out she had wrote like four autobiographies each claiming she had turned to a feminist, born again christian etc. This makes the Lovelace (2013) lack credibility because it makes you start questioning whether Linda was truthful or not as she was capable of changing her beliefs so many times. I then came across the documentary Inside Deep Throat (2005) which focuses more on how Deep Throat (1972) affected society and more depth about the films production. However there is a brief discussion on Linda and the real Gerry Damiano says that she was happy. Now if this is true Lovelace (2013) have fabricated some scenes such as when Linda goes to Gerry and he helps her. Obviously we will never know the exact truth but personally I think they used scenes like that in Lovelace (2013) to make us feel sorry for Linda which was the films purpose. Lovelace (2013) made out that Linda only starred in one adult film when she actually didn't. She starred in Deep Throat 2 (1974) which wasn't as successful and even posed nude for many magazines.
The film used non linear narrative by adding in flashbacks to show the abuse of Linda, this was a good idea in the sense of a shock factor because the audience don't really realise how bad she is actually getting it but personally I thought it was a waste of time because I think it would have the same effect as you would still see the disturbing scenes. The mise-en-scene throughout the film was great because it had a real 1970's feel to it from the skating ring to the 70's fashion sense.
The quality of the acting by some of the cast was fantastic, especially Amanda Seyfried which I stated before, however James Franco who starred as Hugh Hefner was awkward to watch. They definitely cast the wrong actor for the role because he acted nothing like Hugh. I watch Girls of the Playboy Mansion (also known as The Girls Next Door) which features Hugh Hefner a lot so I know how he is, not just him with a load of girls and in silk pyjamas, but his personality with the girls. James Franco did not show this at all with Amanda Seyfrieds character. Another actor who I thought would have give a better performance was Adam Brody who starred as Harry Reems. The same kind of reasons as James Franco it was so awkward. I mean yeah its meant to be awkward for the audience watching an adult film but he was just not suited for the part. His acting was just flat. The poor quality of some actors ruined it for me as it made it less realistic and boring to watch. There was no need for half of the cameo appearances from known actors as they didn't affect the film at all. The scenes with Amanda Seyfried and Peter Sarsgaard were excellent because it was intense to watch. It was exciting and sad at the same time and even hard to watch at times especially when he forced her to have sex with him when she didn't want to. But the chemistry between them were believable and great to watch. Sharon Stone was hardly recognisable as she played Linda's mother who was a strict older woman who wanted the best for her daughter. One scene which was heartbreaking to watch was when Linda asks her mum for help but she refusing to give it, the acting quality here was really good.
Overall I think the film completed its aim to make the audience feel sorry for Linda however I felt the film needed more depth, especially with the acting. I expected more as it is an interesting story to know about.
Please comment with your thoughts!
Cast
Amanda Seyfried as Linda Lovelace
Peter Sarsgaard as Chuck Traynor
Hank Azaria as Gerry Damiano
Juno Temple as Patsy
Adam Brody as Harry Reems
James Franco as Hugh Hefner
Sharon Stone as Dorothy Boreman
Robert Patrick as John J. Boreman
Bobby Cannavale as Butchie Peraino
Wes Bentley as Larry Marchiano
Chloe Sevigny as Rebecca
Sarah Jessica Parker as Gloria Steinern
Eric Roberts as Nat Laurendi
Directors
Rob Epstein
Jeffrey Friedman
Screenplay
Andy Bellin
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