Following the recent release of the Oscar-nominated \Kinsey,"" the incendiary topic of sexual insecurity in America is fresh in moviegoers' minds. Bill Condon's biopic of 1950s sex researcher Alfred Kinsey and his controversial findings is an illuminating film, bountiful with insight and congenial humor, that intends to spark truly constructive debate about what constitutes a healthy attitude toward sexuality. After Kinsey's nookie surveys and the free love '60s, the sexual debate was further inflamed by the emergence of an inherently crappy, infamous cheapie porno called ""Deep Throat."" In their superb, scintillating new documentary ""Inside Deep Throat,"" writer-directors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato take a probing look at the making of, varied reactions to and ultimately tragic long-term consequences of the little porn that could.
""Deep Throat"" has often been described as ""the most profitable independent film in history,"" as it more than recouped its $25,000 budget with over $600 million in returns. Directed by Queens hairdresser Gerard Damiano and filmed over six days in Florida, ""Deep Throat"" starred orally talented 19-year-old Linda Lovelace as a sexually frustrated gal and mustachioed former production assistant Harry Reems (which isn't a stage name like ""Joe Pounds"" or ""Larry Thrusts,"" but his actual name) as a wacky doctor trying to determine the cause for her dissatisfaction. The campy, outrageously goofy reason ignited a cultural firestorm: Lovelace's clitoris was apparently located in the back of her throat, so consequently the performing of oral sex was imperative to her achieving orgasm.
Damiano's titular gimmick shifted the focus from intercourse (which was commonplace in stag films and educational videos) to fellatio, effectively riling up the Nixon administration, feminists and the American people in general. As always, outrage translated to sensation, and while Nixon's minions crusaded against ""Deep Throat,"" audiences plunked down cash in hordes to see what all the fuss was about. ""Deep Throat"" was an unlikely cultural touchstone; the blowjob that launched a thousand quips also changed forever the country's views on free speech and censorship.
""Inside Deep Throat"" interweaves deadpan narration from Dennis Hopper with grainy archival footage, hysterical interviews, clips from ""Deep Throat"" and other blue movies and a pitch-perfect selection of '70s tunes. Bailey and Barbato (who also profiled another famous fellator in ""Monica in Black and White"") exhaustively examine their subject with the frenetic pace of ""I Love the '70s"" or ""Pornucopia,"" seamlessly bounding from lighthearted to unsettling aspects and rooting out contrasts and parallels to contemporary outlooks. Though many of the ""Deep Throat"" denouncers (such as prosecutor Larry Parrish, who insists he is not a eunuch) come across as ridiculous and self-righteous, the film exhibits an unwavering, praiseworthy objectivity.
Bailey and Barbato have created a near-perfect documentary, an educational yet giddy portrait of a tumultuous decade rife with perceptive commentary from a veritable arsenal of talking heads (from Larry Flynt to Gore Vidal) and fascinating fun facts (did you know Linda Lovelace had a cat named after Hitler?). Poignancy and hilarity are balanced impeccably, with the screamingly funny first half (romance novelist Erica Jong's assertions that money shots are good for the skin are among the highlights) making way for the affecting second half (the recounting of Linda Lovelace's life post-""Deep Throat"" is especially moving).
""Inside Deep Throat"" contains all the elements of a stellar documentary-intrinsically engaging and relevant subject matter, balanced treatment of said subject matter, flawlessly assembled quotes and thorough but concise presentation of information. The actual clip of Lovelace demonstrating her famous oral prowess on Reems provides the basis for this film's NC-17 rating, which hopefully won't scare off potential viewers.
Bailey and Barbato have fashioned a gripping, wonderfully entertaining film that proves to be an even more astute dissection of sexual insecurity than the exciting, thought-provoking ""Kinsey."" It is simultaneously uproarious, emotionally penetrating and exhilarating; this is the kind of documentary we need more of.
