The People vs. Larry Flynt

The People vs. Larry Flynt is a 1996 American biographicalcomedy-drama film directed by Miloš Forman, written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, and starring Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love, and Edward Norton. It spans approximately 35 years of the life of pornographer Larry Flynt (Harrelson), from his impoverished upbringing in Kentucky to his marriage to Althea Leasure (Love), the rise of Hustler magazine, and his 1988 United States Supreme Court battle with Reverend Jerry Falwell.

After premiering at the New York Film Festival in October 1996, The People vs. Larry Flynt was released theatrically on December 25, 1996. Despite limited success at the box office, the film was widely acclaimed by critics and garnered Harrelson, Love, Norton, and Forman numerous accolades, including a Best Actor nomination for Harrelson and Best Director nomination for Forman at the 69th Academy Awards. Forman won the Golden Globe Award for Best Director, while Harrelson and Love were nominated in the categories of Best Actor – Drama and Best Actress – Drama, respectively.

Though the film garnered largely favorable critical reviews, it was subject to a significant campaign condemning it, led by Gloria Steinem and other feminist groups, who regarded it as a glorification of Flynt and his alleged exploitation of women. Despite these accusations, the film was defended by free speech proponents and organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union.