The People vs. Larry Flynt

Name: The People vs. Larry Flynt
Genre: Biography, Drama
Released: December 25, 1996
Duration: 129 min
Rating: 79
Cast: Courtney Love, Woody Harrelson

1996

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 128 Ratings

See All

8.4

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.4	Your Score
8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 128 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

The People Vs. Larry Flynt

Now Playing: The People Vs. Larry Flynt

Movie Details & Credits

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: December 25, 1996 | R

Starring: Courtney Love, Woody Harrelson

Summary: Woody Harrelson stars as publishing maverick Larry Flynt, who becomes the unlikely champion of the First Amendment when he takes his fight against the Rev. Jerry Falwell all the way to the Supreme Court. (Sony Pictures Entertainment)

Director: Milos Forman

Genre(s): Biography, Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 129 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Film.com Robert Horton

Forman imbues the material with exactly the right dry, satirical flavor, yet this story is still a Frank Capra little-guy-against-the-system picture.

100

Mike Clark

Forman finesses the story's grimmer aspects as he did in "Cuckoo's Nest," and his ability to switch moods on a dime remains unsurpassed. Read full review

100

Roger Ebert

Love proves she is not a rock star pretending to act, but a true actress, and Harrelson matches her with his portrait of a man who has one thing on his mind, and never changes it. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Tells a good, intelligent story that keeps us interested and involved. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

With "Flynt," Love does what Madonna has been trying to do for 12 years -- create a performance filled with humor, intelligence and soul. Read full review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski's script may in spots be as much of a skim job as their one for "Ed Wood," but it's almost as sweet and as likable, and if the movie can't ever practice what it and its hillbilly hero preach--the only "beaver" shot in the movie involves a corpse--its heart is certainly in the right place. Read full review

Film.com Tom Keogh

In all, this film is a major disappointment with a few powerful highlights.

SEE ALL 24 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

googolendtimes

Apr 20, 2014

Woody Harrelson performs at the height of his acting ability as the eponymous Prince of Porn, embodying Larry Flynt with a riotous irreverence interspersed by moments of superbly nuanced vulnerability and pain, particularly in the scenes where Flynt dissolves almost completely into madness.Woody Harrelson performs at the height of his acting ability as the eponymous Prince of Porn, embodying Larry Flynt with a riotous irreverence interspersed by moments of superbly nuanced vulnerability and pain, particularly in the scenes where Flynt dissolves almost completely into madness. The chemistry between Harrelson and Courtney Love (who plays Flynt's wife Althea) is fantastic; they depict, in a way that's quite bittersweet, how the two came to need one another. The acting in this film is magnificent, and makes it worth seeing, especially for Harrelson and Love. "The People vs. Larry Flynt" is highly entertaining, and provokes some interesting thought about the ideal of freedom of speech, and what it should and does protect.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ScarTissue1990

Aug 7, 2012

This movie is truly amazing. Woody Harrelson's portrayal of Larry Flynt is so realistic and Courtney Love's portrayal of his wife is truly mesmerizing. What can't this woman do? Edward Norton's character is also amazing and realistic. A truly amazing, funny, but yet tear jerking and gaspingThis movie is truly amazing. Woody Harrelson's portrayal of Larry Flynt is so realistic and Courtney Love's portrayal of his wife is truly mesmerizing. What can't this woman do? Edward Norton's character is also amazing and realistic. A truly amazing, funny, but yet tear jerking and gasping film. Truly one of the best movies of all time.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MovieGuys

Sep 8, 2014

Although this movie is essentially about a sleazy porn magazine publisher, The People vs. Larry Flynt never feels sleazy itself, thanks to great direction and a script that promotes the message of civil liberties without exploiting itself. There is character development, great performances,Although this movie is essentially about a sleazy porn magazine publisher, The People vs. Larry Flynt never feels sleazy itself, thanks to great direction and a script that promotes the message of civil liberties without exploiting itself. There is character development, great performances, and clear themes and messages. It may run a bit long in the middle passages, but it is still an important film about standing up for what's in the boundaries of the law, and not exactly what is popular or moral.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

EvanW.

Mar 3, 2009

Flynt is, ironically, moralistic. He stands up for what he believes in and doesn't back down.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

geewah

Mar 30, 2021

A clever and original biopic about an eccentric man who peddles in porn yet this movie never ventures down that path.
While some may question Flynt's morals (unfairly in my opinion) one can't question him for his lack of principles.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

amheretojudge

Aug 28, 2018

more innocence than you could ever hope or expect for..

The People VS. Larry Flynt The People VS. Larry Flynt is a character driven dramatic biography about a disavowed man seeking the rights of a normal citizen. Clocking at two hours, the feature is entirely busy that makes it thoroughlymore innocence than you could ever hope or expect for..

The People VS. Larry Flynt

The People VS. Larry Flynt is a character driven dramatic biography about a disavowed man seeking the rights of a normal citizen. Clocking at two hours, the feature is entirely busy that makes it thoroughly entertaining. And even though the "entertaining" part comes from the humorous aspect of it their also resides enough craft to work and explore in it. Forman's overt world is diplomatic and rubs the ethic with competitive arguments and debates that keeps the audience tangled in it. Unlike any other biographies, it doesn't walk on usual structure but breaks barriers unflinchingly. The primary strength of the feature is the chemistry and relationship between the lead characters especially when it starts aging on screen and grows more innocence than you could ever hope or expect for. It is short on technical aspects like sound department, costume design, cinematography and background score although it is edited aptly. The camera work is appreciative with dark and quirky theme that is palpable to the surrounding. Harrelson has never been better with a sassy vocal that is both funny and effective at the same time. Norton too is doing some of his best work on supporting him with Love whose evolution is one of the best part of the feature. The writing is gripping, adaptive, layered and metaphorical that attains a perfect balance between humor and drama. Armed with such strong script, Forman's execution exceeds the words that are projected in here on his own terms that is free from any rules. Pragmatic conversations, three dimensional characters and fragile love track at the heart of it are the high points of the feature. The People VS. Larry Flynt is a Harrelson's passion as much as it of Forman's and fortunately, the communication is crystal clear with the audience.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Spangle

Jan 13, 2017

From the very beginning of the film, The People vs. Larry Flynt spirals out of control. While featuring great performances and a compelling subject, the film feels abbreviated. Directed by Milos Forman, the film won him the Golden Globe for Best Director and he got a nomination at theFrom the very beginning of the film, The People vs. Larry Flynt spirals out of control. While featuring great performances and a compelling subject, the film feels abbreviated. Directed by Milos Forman, the film won him the Golden Globe for Best Director and he got a nomination at the Academy Awards in the same category. Though a legend in the director's chair, it is hard to imagine why Forman would receive these honors. For a film this ambitious and trying to cover such a large stretch of time, the film is done in a blink because scenes smash together, things progress quickly, and events are skimmed over to just give you a taste and then it takes them away. All told though, the film is just a middling biopic that does not really analyze its characters as much as it champions as a patriot for the little man who wants to call Jerry Falwell a moron (a valiant enterprise, admittedly).

Starring Woody Harrelson as the infamous smut peddler, Harrelson is brilliant. Both bombastic, reserved, and solemn, Harrelson gives a real bite and edge to Larry Flynt, but makes him entirely sympathetic. Every time he acts like a moron in court, you feel sympathy and compassion for a man who is throwing his life away. Harrelson's brilliance is highlighted in a scene with the Americans for a Free Press rally. In it, the great dialogue in the scene hands Harrelson an impassioned speech about the morals of America and how out of wack they are. While soldiers and war are celebrated, sexuality is taboo and not to be discussed. The speech really spoke to his character and Harrelson nails this fiery speech. Alongside is his Edward Norton, appearing as his lawyer Alan Isaacman. A bit awkward and young, Isaacman is unassuming and really should not have volunteered to be Flynt's lawyer. Yet, Isaacman is along for the ride all the way and is excellently captured by Norton. The scene in front of the Supreme Court is a really highlight with the young, but smart Isaacman holding his own under direct questioning as to his client's intents with the publication of an anti-Falwell article and advertisement. Though he seems awkward and cracks a few jokes, he is composed and knowledgeable at every turn. This is a real credit to Norton who captures both the bulldog and the shih tzu of Isaacman.

On the flip side, however, is Courtney Love. Portraying Althea Leasure, the wife of Larry Flynt, Love is an AIDS infested junkie whore. Fortunately, this makes her perfect for the role. Maybe that is harsh, but Love injects Larry with heroin and then injects herself and it just really felt like a home video instead of a film. As may be clear, Love is grating in the role. She is so bad, melodramatic, and is a real blight on this film. Had the editing and storytelling not be so inept as well, Love would stand as the worst part of this film. Just because is the exact same person as Althea was does not mean she is good casting. She simply cannot act and just goes through the motions and plays herself.

As for the editing, it is horrible. With scenes ending too early and smashing into one another throughout, the best scenes are the ones that Forman actually lets play out. However, these are few and in between as he insists of flying through this film. With a runtime just over two hours and covering 35 years (more like 25) of Flynt's life, the film just has too much material for a two hour film. Forman knows this and, as such, abbreviates key moments into a highlight reel. This is largely ineffective and would not provide a good portrait of who Flynt is as a person. Thus, he must resort to having on-the-nose dialogue where Flynt just spews exposition as to what he stands for as a person. This is not ideal, but a man has to do what a man has to do when the story does not tell itself. Without these monologues, the film would just be a loose collection of scenes that, when put together, do not really add up to much. Though I dislike Jerry Falwell as much as the next guy and Flynt's contributions by bringing him down a peg (as if Falwell and his disciples are not massively self-righteous) are valuable, the film does a poor job introducing Falwell and has to have Norton's character explain at the end why Flynt hates Falwell. He is a religious leader, yes, but other than a brief mention by Althera, he does not factor in until the end. The mention from Althera also comes off as an after thought by Forman when her realized nobody mentions Falwell until the court case.

A meandering, poorly edited, and poorly told film from a great director, The People vs Larry Flynt is nearly saved by a workmanlike performance from Woody Harrelson and a typically great turn from Edward Norton is one of his first roles. However, they are dragged back down by Courtney Love. A misfire, the film simply does not work as a biopic or really any other genre.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 10 REVIEWS

16	#16 Best Movie of 1996
41	#41 Most Discussed Movie of 1996
59	#59 Most Shared Movie of 1996