If I Had to Choose One of Them, Flynt or Falwell ...
… to be elected Censor of this New Roman Republic of America, Flynt would get the nod. That would have been true even before I watched this film, not because of any regard I have for Flynt or for Hustler magazine but because of my contempt for Jerry Falwell, for his extremism and bigotry, and for his involvement with Charles Keating. Perhaps I should recuse myself, therefore, from reviewing this film, since I couldn’t possibly react impartially to the evidence in the trial of Flynt for libel and the subsequent appeals processes that took Flynt and Falwell to the US Supreme Court.

As portrayed by actor Woody Harrelson, porn-publisher Larry Flynt wasn’t a guy you’d want for a son-in-law. He was loud, crude, sleazy, narcissistic, sociopathic, greedy, and a bully. Harrelson makes him terrifyingly real; I’m sure if I met the real Flynt, i’d be perplexed and wonder why he didn’t look like Woody. There’s a lot of very skillful acting in this film, and brilliant directing by Czech-American Milos Forman, whose previous films had included: Loves of a Blonde, The Firemen’s Ball, Taking Off, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Hair, and Amadeus. Honestly, I would never have watched “The People vs Larry Flynt” if it were not for my respect for Milos Forman as a director.

But I have to confess that the first fifteen or twenty minutes of this film left me skeptical. Flynt is obnoxious, the sleaze shots are nauseating, the whole scenario seems pointless … until the “good people” of Ohio, people including Charles Keating, resolve to make a martyr of Flynt. And then the film becomes increasingly powerful even while Flynt himself becomes increasingly unpalatable. It is a film about civil liberties, about freedom of expression, about the right of any individual to resist the oppressive of any self-proclaimed “Moral Majority”. Actor Edward Norton delivers some ripping good rhetoric in favor of freedom-of-conscience in his portrayal of Flynt’s lawyer, Alan Isaacson, in front of the Supreme Court. Flynt’s personal life may be seen as a tragedy with laughable elements — he does get shot and paralyzed, his wife does become a junkie and an AIDS victim, and he does become mentally unsettled — but the film is has a triumphant happy ending.

Can Really Change Your Mind About Things!
The People vs. Larry Flynt is a 1996 American biographical drama film directed by Milo Forman and starring Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love, and Edward Norton. It chronicles the rise of pornographic magazine publisher Larry Flynt and his subsequent clash with religious institutions and the law.

Perhaps it would be fair to start by saying that the narrative element of this film is handled subjectively well. The events covered span over the course of about 40 years, and 2 hours may not seem long enough to make this a cohesive piece; On the contrary, the nuances and important elements of Larry’s life are given a sufficient amount of attention, and the story is told in such a way that it is very easy to follow. The only pitfall to this is that some of the relationships seem a little contrived and perhaps maybe even a little bit “fake” but this is acceptable given the circumstances and obvious ambitions possessed by the director and screenwriters.

This movie received accolades for the separate performances Of Harrelson, Norton and Love; more than deserved, each actor holds their own and the success of this film dord not rest on the shoulders of one individual that outshines the rest. Harrelson is gritty, obscene, and unapologetically authentic. Norton is humble, resourceful, and as sharp as a tack. Love is convincingly loyal, understandably naive, and perhaps the tiniest bit misguided. The combination of these separate character traits in acute amounts allows the story to be told in a way that is natural and doesn’t turn into a gigantic cringe-fest.

Perhaps the best thing about this film is that it’s the perfect example of inorganically telling a story Involving politics in a way that is both entertaining and largely accurate. There are no attempts to tone down the sleaziness people can expect given the subject matter, but the main topic at hand – freedom of speech – is given an equivocal amount of respect and consideration that can’t be ignored. Debates and public outcry regarding what material is considered “appropriate” are juxtaposed in such a way that the conclusion A)Makes total sense and B)Hardly calls for any amount of immediate opposition that isn’t obviously emotionally charged. If you find yourself among the crowd of “nay-sayers” when pornography comes to mind I would absolutely encourage you to watch this film with an open mind as your inclinations in regards to censorship may need some adjusting afterwards – the message really is THAT powerful.

Largely important especially given our current political climate:

I would recommend it!

The People vs. Larry Flynt – Powerful, Provocative, and Surprisingly Moving
The People vs. Larry Flynt is a bold and thought-provoking film that dives deep into the true story of one of the most controversial figures in American free speech history. Woody Harrelson gives an unforgettable performance as Larry Flynt, capturing both his outrageous personality and his unexpected role as a defender of the First Amendment. Courtney Love is also fantastic—raw, emotional, and surprisingly powerful.

This movie doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff. It’s gritty, uncomfortable at times, but always compelling. What really makes it shine is how it turns what could’ve been a typical biopic into a sharp, engaging courtroom drama with real emotional weight. You don’t have to agree with Larry Flynt to appreciate how fiercely the film defends the importance of freedom of expression.

If you’re into true stories, legal battles, or just want a movie that challenges your thinking, The People vs. Larry Flynt is absolutely worth the watch. Smart, intense, and surprisingly human.