Lovelace is a film based on the true story of ’70s porn star and poster girl for the sexual revolution, Linda Lovelace. While this adaption by directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman of her life pre, during and post iconic film Deep Throat portrays the harrowing events that shadowed her existence with sufficient grit, the majority of the film is a little too light hearted.
I was mentally preparing myself for an uncomfortable ride; after all, in Lovelace’s autobiography, Ordeal, she claims to have been forced into pornography and other horrible things by her abusive husband/primp. Chuck Traynor. But Amanda Seyfried’s Linda shows us a little more Karen from Mean Girls (with a much higher IQ), and creepy, brief-wearing Peter Sarsgard’s Traynor only adds to things being just a little too Hollywood.
An odd thing to say as Hollywood has done many an adaptation of a true story well, but it doesn’t stop there. James Franco comes in halfway through as blowjob enthusiast Hugh Hefner, not to mention an array of familiar faces including Sharon Stone, Robert Patrick, Chris Noth, Hank Azaria and Adam Brody making regular appearances.
What could have been a far more captivating film about a truly important moment in human history –echoing the documentary-style of work Friedman and Epstein are known for –turned out to be somewhat of a romp with the occasional beating and gang rape thrown in.
Of course, something a little more hard-hitting isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and it’s certainly worth one watch. But overall, Lovelace’s story demands a little more reality and a little less glamour.
2.5/5 stars
BY JACK ARTHUR SMITH
Lovelace is in cinemas now.
