FILMBRATS - REVIEWS

You’ve probably heard of the movie. Perhaps you’ve even seen it. Maybe you just know of the act (possibly from personal experience). It could be that you simply think of the Watergate scandal when you hear the words “Deep Throat.” That pornographic film did more than just influence the naming of the anonymous informant that helped take down Nixon. It influenced the culture and opened society’s eyes. It helped change the tides of perception and the production of the adult film industry. But that’s just the tip of the…well, let’s say “iceberg.” Don’t blow this one off as just a simple in and out story.

Here we have the latest effort from Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato who are coming back to documentary work after the abysmal and painful failure of a narrative “Party Monster.” Non-fiction is where they should stay, because this is their best yet. It seems as if their style is really coming along, slightly reminiscent of Errol Morris’ work or of Peter Wintonick and Mark Achbar’s “Manufacturing Consent” except with more interviews and solid, informative, non-redundant narration (by Dennis Hopper). Aside from all that, what really separates it is the natural humor that comes about. The major players are hilarious (usually through their mannerisms and personality quirks rather than by what they say). The supplemental celebrity interviews provide some of the more straightforward jokes (I’m looking at you Dick Cavett).

The celebrities also help round out the analysis, as they talk more about the movie as a pop culture phenomenon as outside observers. All the people have some connection to the era, the pornography industry, the sex trade, or smutty cult status – and usually a combination of these. You won’t hear me say this very often, but I felt they were underused. There were too many big names to go through. Dr. Ruth was heard from once. Larry Flynt and Al Goldstein only got a couple lines as well. Basically all of them got spread out too thin.

On the other hand, the main thread dealing with the fate of “Deep Throat” by itself was greatly represented. I walked out of the theater with a clear understanding of what happened and shocked at how some of the events took place. The film covered all the angles, the pros and the cons (double meaning intended). You get to know the people involved better and learn to like the good “smut peddlers” like director Gerard Damiano (who later in his career made the epic “Let My Puppets Come”) while still dismissing the more sleazy members of the production. One could make an argument that it didn’t cover the current industry and its relation to its groundbreaking predecessor enough. Although it does glance over the last twenty years or so within the industry, it pretty accurately shows the true impact that “Deep Throat” had, as well as the limitations of that impact.

Not too many people take pornography seriously, nor should they. This documentary shows that although it’s not a vital aspect of society, it’s still important and can have a great impact. You can still have an earnest discussion about the topic while making the snide remarks or witty comments. There’s a lot to laugh at. There’s a lot to marvel at. There’s a lot of nudity to look at [and a tiny bit of hardcore action (come on, you have to see the deep throat in a movie about a movie about it)]. This most likely won’t change your viewpoint on pornography, but it’s a fascinating story to watch anyway. Unless you’re easily offended, see it with friends and strike up a conversation afterwards.

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