I don't know exactly how faithful to the true story of Linda Boreman this film is, all I know is I was riveted by this heightened recreation of the unfortunate, sad life of adult film actress Boreman, whose screen name was Linda Lovelace. It brings to mind the even darker story of Dorothy Stratten, a similarily mistreated sex symbol documented in the film Star 80. Eric Roberts was a star in that one, and makes a brief appearance here, almost like a nod of the head to that story. Amanda Seyfried is achingly good as Linda, displaying a fragility and striking resilience in her excellent performance. At a young age, she's manipulated into certain things, namely appearing adult films including the infamous 'Deep Throat', by her abusive dirtbag boyfriend Chuck. Peter Sarsgaard is a slimy wonder as the ultimate trashy prick, putting her through some truly hellish times that take a long time to recover from. Sharon Stone is unrecognizable as Linda's uber conservative mother, and Robert Patrick gives buckets of emotion in his few scenes as her sympathetic father. Rounding out the all star cast are Bobby Cannavle, Adam Brody, Hank Azaria, Debi Mazar, Chloe Sevigny, Chris Noth and Juno Temple as various people orbiting Linda's sordid story, some helpful, some sleazy, all interesting. The one misstep in casting is James Franco as a baby faced Hugh Hefner, which brings you right out of the film. The core of the piece lies with Seyfried's assured, confident performance, and amongst all the glitz, scum, bells and whistles the filmmakers conjure up to try and pad the story, she always blessedly reigns it in to the singular plight of one woman in trouble. That takes talent.
Review of Lovelace
