Young. Naïve. Infamous. Movie Review: LOVELACE (Starring Amanda Seyfried)

Movie Review: Lovelace

Studio: Radius-TWC, Millennium Films, Eclectic Pictures Productions

Directors: Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman

Release Date: Friday, August 9, 2013 (Check local listings)

MPAA Rating: R

Reviewer Rating: ★★★★★

Born in 1973, I cannot make claims that I know anything about Deep Throat, a 1972 film about the real-life porn star, Linda Lovelace. I haven’t ever seen the film or anything else that relates to it. I went into the pre-screening for Lovelace armed with little knowledge of the film’s center of attention, Linda Lovelace, but I left with a more knowledgeable view of this woman, and how she affected a whole generation.

Amanda Seyfried as Linda Lovelace at an event for Deep Throat

As much as I want to sing the praises of lead actress Amanda Seyfried, whom I absolutely adore, her performance, at times, seemed flat. Faced with the impending gang rape set up by her husband Chuck Traynor, played with brilliance and menacing ferocity by Peter Sarsgaard, Seyfried’s Lovelace doesn’t put up much of a fight in this particularly jaw dropping scene. Rewind to a young Lovelace stepping into the scene at her Deep Throat movie premiere and that’s where you’ll see a different Seyfried playing the wide-eyed newbie porn sensation Linda Lovelace. Seyfried’s experience of being a new actress at her first movie premiere is something she relates to but having to delve deep into uncharted emotions to reflect the tumultuous scene of having several broad-shouldered men hovering just to get a piece of her isn’t something easily conveyed. There are nuances about Seyfried’s performance in several other scenes that make me tilt my head a little, questioning the authenticity. While I’ve heard one of the two directors, Rob Epstein, sing Seyfried’s praises, I thought some of her more harrowing scenes could have been better. And she could have spent more time with her voice coach to perfect her Yonkers, NY accent. Again, I love Seyfried. I know she’s capable of doing better – we’ve seen her excel in such movies as Les Miserables and Mamma Mia. I guess it’s not easy, though, to tap into your inner porn star and showcase it for the world.

Peter Sarsgaard as the seemingly good guy Chuck Traynor, and Amanda Seyfried as the young, naive Linda Lovelace

Sarsgaard, on the other hand, does an amazing job of making me what to pummel Traynor and run him over with a car. He makes you want to swivel in your theater seat and look at your neighbor with confusion so as to confirm what you’re seeing is really happening. No doubt about it, Traynor’s audacity and vile nature put the sleeze in sleeze-ball. Sarsgaard completely transforms himself into becoming the character he’s playing. Just as he is Ray Seward on AMC’s The Killing, Sarsgaard is Chuck Traynor in Lovelace. Sarsgaard embodies that creepy guy many of us have encountered; the creepy guy who, by all appearances seems like a nice guy but has the underlying stench of something very devious.

Sharon Stone as Dorothy Boreman

If you are expecting a lot of nudity, you’ll be disappointed. While there are some gratuitous breast shots, there are more instances of implied nudity than actual nudity. I think the film does a great job of portraying the vibe of the era, including a young Linda and her friend Patsy (Juno Temple) untying their bikini tops so they won’t get tan lines on their backs. Lovelace also highlights something I didn’t expect—aside from the obvious spousal abuse, this film brings to the forefront the confines of religion and marriage. In one particular scene, Seyfried shines when Linda asks her mother Dorothy (Sharon Stone) to let her stay for a few nights to get away from her abusive husband. Without skipping a beat, Dorothy dashes any hope by telling Linda she must honor her marriage vows. Even with Linda crying, begging for at least one night of solace, Dorothy rules with an iron hand and delivers Linda to her husband, virtually on a silver platter. Let’s give a round of applause to Stone for her performance because my mouth was agape at how well she conveyed the thoughts and actions of a religious and conservative mother who means well but whose faith rules her. As a parent, no matter what, my child’s safety comes first and foremost. What religion allows marriage vows to outweigh the safety of a human being? Coming from a non-traditional religious background, I don’t shun marriage vows and I wholeheartedly believe in the institution of marriage; however, if my husband/spouse were to turn on me and strike me, that would be it—I’d be done. Dorothy basically condones the abuse, even going so far as to blame Linda for Chuck’s abusive behavior. I was disgusted.

Chris Noth as Anthony Romano, Bobby Cannavale as Butchie Peraino, and Hank Azaria as Jerry Damiano

After dipping her feet into the salacious limelight, Linda seeks help from an unlikely friend, Anthony Romano (Chris Noth), one of the producers of Deep Throat. When she takes off her dark sunglasses and revealing the bruising on her face, Romano realizes Linda needs serious help. Romano becomes my hero when he lures Chuck to a posh hotel and gives him a few lashings, literally. The fear on Linda’s face when she sees a shadowy figure walking past her window sent chills down my spine. As I said, Seyfried has moments of pure credibility in her acting, and this is one of them.

Years later, Linda, remarried and a mother, renounces the porn industry and becomes an advocate against pornography and spousal abuse. If this film brings a spotlight to either cause, I hope it will empower women who are in abusive relationships. No one should be treated like property – we are all human beings. Linda was young and naïve. Her life was marred by her adventurous film debut, and ultimately followed her until her death in 2002.

Going in, I didn’t know what to expect, but I left the screening with an appreciation for freedom of choice, free will, and independence. While Lovelace is good, it could have been so much better. With cameos from an allstar cast, some of which last less than a minute, I think the writers and directors tried too hard to portray Linda’s innocent side rather than show her as the willing starlet she was at the time.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.