← Back to results
The People vs. Larry Flynt
1996 130 min United States of America R 18+
★7.9
Drama
Director: Milos Forman
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
Larry Flynt is the hedonistically obnoxious, but indomitable, publisher of Hustler magazine. The film recounts his struggle to make an honest living publishing his girlie magazine and how it changes into a battle to protect the freedom of speech for all people.
Budget:
$36M
US Gross:
$20.3M
Worldwide:
$20.3M
Starring
Woody Harrelson
Actor
Courtney Love
Actor
Edward Norton
Actor
Awards
Berlin International Film Festival 1997
— Golden Bear
Golden Globe 1997
— Best Director
Golden Globe 1997
— Best Screenplay
MTV Movie & TV Awards 1997
— Breakthrough of the Year
Academy Awards 1997
— Best Actor
Academy Awards 1997
— Best Director
Golden Globe 1997
— Best Director
Golden Globe 1997
— Best Screenplay
European Film Awards 1997
— World Cinema Achievement
Golden Globe 1997
— Best Picture (Drama)
Golden Globe 1997
— Best Actor (Drama)
Key opinion
The People vs. Larry Flynt is widely regarded as a provocative and compelling exploration of free speech and societal hypocrisy. While viewers remain sharply divided on the protagonist's morality, the film is consistently praised for its sharp direction and transformative lead performances.
| Acting | Woody Harrelson provides a defining, complex performance that captures both the charisma and the repellent nature of Larry Flynt. | |
| Direction | Miloš Forman successfully utilizes the biographical format to critique societal double standards and challenge mainstream moral complacency. | |
| Acting | The supporting performances by Edward Norton and Courtney Love are highly effective, grounding the film's eccentric narrative. | |
| Theme | The film succeeds as a poignant examination of the boundaries of First Amendment rights rather than a mere glorification of the pornography industry. | |
| Theme | The narrative's focus is divisive; some viewers find the character study of an unrepentant anti-hero deeply compelling, while others reject the film for centering on a figure they consider fundamentally immoral. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are split: some celebrate its sharp wit and social critique, while others argue that the pacing is inconsistent and the story occasionally lacks coherence. |