Miloš Forman’s The People vs. Larry Flynt is one of those films that’s part outrageous biography, part courtroom drama, and part reflection on the messy contradictions of free speech. Based on the real-life story of Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt, it dives into sex, scandal, politics, and the price of fighting for the First Amendment.
Detailed Summary
Early Days: From Hustler Club to Hustler Magazine
The film opens with Larry Flynt (Woody Harrelson) running a strip club in Kentucky with his brother Jimmy (Courtney Love). To promote the club, Larry launches a crude newsletter that quickly evolves into Hustler Magazine. Unlike Playboy, Hustler is graphic, raw, and unapologetic, which makes it both wildly popular and incredibly controversial.
Rise to Fame and Infamy
As Hustler grows, Larry embraces his image as a provocateur. He pushes boundaries with explicit photos, parodies, and attacks on conservative values. This leads to clashes with religious leaders, particularly televangelist Jerry Falwell (Richard Paul). Larry’s willingness to push obscenity laws to the limit puts him at the center of legal battles across America.
Personal Struggles: Addiction and Love
Larry marries Althea Leasure (Courtney Love), who becomes both his business partner and soulmate. Their relationship is turbulent but deeply bonded, especially as both descend into drug addiction. Larry’s hedonism and recklessness add layers of chaos to his already controversial career.
The Assassination Attempt
One of the most dramatic turns occurs when Larry is shot outside a courthouse during one of his obscenity trials. The shooting leaves him paralyzed from the waist down, confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. This event intensifies his eccentricity and fuels his descent into erratic behavior.
Fighting Jerry Falwell
The central legal drama comes when Hustler publishes a parody ad suggesting Jerry Falwell had a drunken incestuous encounter with his mother in an outhouse. Falwell sues for libel and emotional distress. The case escalates all the way to the Supreme Court, with Larry’s lawyer Alan Isaacman (Edward Norton) defending his right to publish satire, no matter how offensive.
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Movie Ending
In the climax, the Supreme Court rules 8–0 in favor of Flynt, establishing a landmark free speech precedent: even offensive and outrageous parody is protected under the First Amendment if no one could reasonably mistake it for fact. The ruling is a monumental victory, not just for Larry but for freedom of expression in America.
But the ending is bittersweet. Althea, ravaged by AIDS and addiction, deteriorates physically and mentally. Larry watches helplessly as the love of his life succumbs to her illness, eventually finding her drowned in a bathtub. The final scenes juxtapose Larry’s courtroom triumph with his personal devastation, underscoring the contradictions of his life: a man who fought for freedom but couldn’t escape his own demons.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, The People vs. Larry Flynt does not have any post-credits scenes. The story concludes firmly with Larry’s Supreme Court victory and the tragedy of Althea, leaving viewers with a mix of admiration and discomfort.
Type of Movie
The film is a biographical drama with strong elements of courtroom drama, political commentary, and dark comedy.
Cast
- Woody Harrelson as Larry Flynt
- Courtney Love as Althea Leasure Flynt
- Edward Norton as Alan Isaacman
- James Cromwell as Charles Keating
- Richard Paul as Jerry Falwell
- Brett Harrelson as Jimmy Flynt (Larry’s real-life brother plays himself)
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Thomas Newman, known for blending emotional undertones with modern minimalism. His music here balances the chaos of Larry’s life with the seriousness of the legal battles.
Filming Locations
The film was shot primarily in Memphis, Tennessee, with several courtroom sequences filmed in Hollywood sound stages. Memphis was chosen because of its Southern atmosphere, grounding the story in the cultural and religious conservatism that Larry often clashed against.
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Awards and Nominations
- Academy Award Nominations:
- Best Actor (Woody Harrelson)
- Best Director (Miloš Forman)
- Golden Globe Win: Best Director (Miloš Forman)
- Multiple critics’ awards praised the film for its daring subject matter and Harrelson’s performance.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Courtney Love was cast despite her troubled reputation; Forman insisted she was perfect for Althea. She had to pass regular drug tests during production.
- Larry Flynt himself appears in the movie as a judge in one of his obscenity trials.
- Edward Norton’s role as Isaacman was one of his breakout performances before American History X and Fight Club.
- Woody Harrelson initially turned down the role, worried about the backlash of playing Flynt, but later accepted after reading the full script.
Inspirations and References
The film is based on real-life events, primarily Larry Flynt’s legal battles and the infamous Supreme Court case Hustler Magazine, Inc. v. Falwell (1988).
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There aren’t widely known alternate endings, but some deleted scenes include more exploration of Larry’s post-shooting recovery and Althea’s declining health. These were trimmed to keep the focus on the court case.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The movie isn’t directly adapted from a single book, but it draws heavily from Larry Flynt’s autobiography and legal transcripts. The biggest difference is that the film softens Larry’s rougher edges, painting him more as a freedom fighter than the abrasive, often cruel businessman many described him as.
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Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Larry’s shooting and subsequent hospitalization.
- The Hustler vs. Falwell parody trial.
- Larry defending Althea in court when she appears sick and vulnerable.
- The Supreme Court decision announcement.
Iconic Quotes
- Larry Flynt: “If the First Amendment will protect a scumbag like me, it will protect all of you.”
- Alan Isaacman: “If you don’t stand up for the stuff you don’t like, when they come for the stuff you do like, you’ve already lost.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Larry Flynt’s cameo as a judge is a sly nod to his real-life courtroom obsession.
- Brett Harrelson (Woody’s real-life brother) plays Larry’s brother Jimmy, making the family dynamic more authentic.
- Several Hustler magazine covers shown in the film are actual historical covers from the 1970s and ’80s.
Trivia
- The real Larry Flynt reportedly loved Harrelson’s performance but joked that he was “too good-looking” to play him.
- Courtney Love received praise for her performance despite being better known for her music career and scandals.
- The Supreme Court dialogue in the film is almost word-for-word from the actual case transcripts.
Why Watch?
Because it’s not just about smut or shock value—it’s about the very core of free speech in America. It’s provocative, funny, tragic, and raises timeless questions: should even the most offensive voices be protected under the law?
Director’s Other Movies
Recommended Films for Fans
- Man on the Moon (1999)
- The People v. O.J. Simpson (2016)
- Spotlight (2015)
- Lenny (1974)