Inside Deep Throat (2005)
This documentary looks at the ways
in which the 70's porn film "Deep Throat" affected
the sociological, sexual and cultural climates of
America. Or, at least, that's what it purports to
do. Using interviews, newsreel footage and educational
films from the period, filmmakers Fenton Bailey and
Randy Barbato set up the audience to understand the
repressed and conformist society of America prior
to the release of the titular pornographic film in
1972. But sadly, it isn't enough, although an attempt
is made, we never really can comprehend, some 30 years
later, just how important this film was. No serious
and established sociologist, sexual expert or culturalist
is interviewed.
Instead, we have to put up with
the ideology of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Erica Jong and
Dick Cavett. It's ridiculous to take this film for
anything other than what it is: Pure puerile entertainment.
Of course, expecting anything more from Bailey and
Barbato would be futile. These guys are only interested
in titillation and commerce. There is nothing serious
about their work. (It was only the sheer charm of
their subject in "The Eyes of Tammy Fay" that made
that film an exception to the rule). Dennis Hopper
may narrate the piece as if it were some sort of important
cultural artifact, but the truth of the matter won't
evade those initiated to the duo's work.
So, of course, we get a lot of pretty
unsavory but funny stuff, like the 80-something, emaciated
Jong (or is it Georgina Spelvin) discussing how good
semen is for the skin ("it's full of babies"). Or
how about the retired Jewish couple of whom the wife
is still scared the mob bosses who financed "Deep
Throat" might find them and kevetches just off-screen.
And then there's Al Goldstein talking about the film
while in a "Screw" magazine t-shirt. Of course, with
commentators like Westheimer, Cavett, John Waters,
Larry Flynt, Bill Maher, Norman Mailer, Wes Craven,
Alan Dershowitz, Camille Paglia, Gore Vidal and Andrea
True voicing opinions left and right here, someone
is assuredly going to say something amusing and interesting.
It doesn't matter whether it is relevant to the film's
theme or not or even intelligent and insightful.
"Inside Deep Throat" also features
interviews from the past with the original film's
stars, Linda Lovelace and Harry Reems, as well as
its director Gerard Damiano. Although Lovelace died
several years ago, the film attempts to amuse us with
her recanting of the film while working with feminists
and anti-porn crusaders followed by her return to
porn and a spread (no pun intended) in "Playboy."
This purported "Where are They Now" idealism is actually
just a ploy to make fun of the effects the passage
of time has had on these people. Reems is shown to
be a born-again Christian but it is subtly suggested
that this is suspicious when he seems so foul-mouthed
and open in his interview. Damiano is made laughable
as he is shown living in suburbia and walking around
like an old retired man with slacks that have a waistline
which is pulled up nearly to his breasts. This film
isn't serious or reverent in any sense of the word.
It's much more interested in amusing us than enlightening
us.
"Deep Throat" was an important cultural
phenomenon in the early 70's and its impact can still
be felt in the American cultural landscape today.
"Inside Deep Throat" flakes off tiny pieces of this
idea and attempts to make a documentary about this
but its ridiculous tone and its mocking stance hardly
make it the most competent source for information
or illumination on the subject. Perhaps one day we
can get the truly important and thoughtful filmed
document that this idea deserves.
Note:
Also with Helen Gurly Brown, Hugh
Hefner, Xaviera Hollander, Carl Bernstein, and Charles
Keating.
The film debuted at Sundance in
January 2005 and was into arthouse release by February.
The film is rated NC-17 and at least
one hardcore sex scene (which shows why the film had
its title) is shown in the documentary.
The film was made in conjunction
with HBO.
It was said that the original 1972
film was going to be rereleased to along with this
movie but so far that hasn't happened.
