Linda Lovelace

If you haven’t already heard about the new groundbreaking release of Linda Lovelace’s story, then you must be hiding underneath a shell. For the past month, all eyes have been on Amanda Seyfried, anticipating her rumored oscar winning performance as she plays the vulnerable and naive lead female in the new film Lovelace. Based on the true story of a small home town girl named Linda Boreman and the events that lead up to her becoming Linda Lovelace, the most famous porn-star of the 70s, the film depicts her tragic life and the brutal relationship she endured with husband and manager, Charles Chuck Traynor. Linda Lovelace’s life was certainly not for the faint-hearted, but her story, the true story is one that everyone should hear. For every harsh and savage day Linda lived, the least this victimized woman deserved was for her side of the story to be heard.

When all the papers were covered in images of Amanda Seyfried and Peter Sarsgaard and the words Linda Lovelace, I was intrigued by the hype. Linda Lovelace was a name I associated with the porn industry and domestic violence, but that was the extent of my knowledge. So I decided to read her book Ordeal before the release of the film to give me some references. No one could have prepared me for what I was about to read. Ordeal is a poignant autobiography written by Linda herself, filled with sexual brutalities, the cruelest form of violence and the events that caused Linda’s life to reduce to a mere existence. I cannot say that I enjoyed the book as such. In fact I found it very difficult to read and digest. But on reflection I am glad I took the time to hear her out.

Amanda Seyfried as Linda Lovelace

So when it came to the film, there was no way we were going to miss it. Not only to see the directors interpretation and depiction of her life during the filming of her only porn movie ‘Deep Throat’, nor the portrayal of the characters by the star studded cast, but for the 70s inspired film techniques and costume style. The film is produced with a retro-like filter on all the shots, an exact representation of the film quality contemporary to the 70s. This not only transports the audience back to California and Miami during the 70s, but it helps to place all the props, costumes and actors within the context. Frills, frocks and flares fill each shot with the fashions that inspire us even today, but in a much more tasteful and realistic manner than those seen in Austin Powers.

Beneath the excellent cinematography lies the tragic plot, retelling the story of Linda Lovelace’s misfortunate and life haltering encounter with Chuck Traynor and the porn industry. Unwillingly, forced against her will and threatened with guns and beatings, Linda became the poster child for the sexual revolution of the 70s. She represented a sexually liberated woman which still exists today. Seyfried and Sarsgaard, amongst the others, put on an incredible performance, contrasting the most innocent of characters with the coldest. The film leaves you saddened by the thought that although porn isn’t as prevalent within the media as it was back then, it does still exist. But what must be learnt from this film is that it wasn’t the porn industry that mistreated Linda. It wasn’t the porn industry that forced her to perform the most unheard of acts. It was Chuck Traynor, a depraved man hungered by power, money and male dominance.

By Marni Banks