Bleak tale of the life of a porn star: Linda Lovelace's experiences in adult films make for grim viewing

By Chris Tookey

PUBLISHED: 17:02 EST, 22 August 2013 | UPDATED: 07:41 EST, 23 August 2013

Lovelace tells of the punishing ordeal endured by porn star Linda Lovelace at the hands of her pornographer husband Chuck Traynor (Peter Sarsgaard). 

Sarsgaard is terrific as an out-and-out scumbag, and a surprisingly gutsy Amanda Seyfried evokes a world of suffering as the na?ve and not terribly bright Linda.

It’s a bit like the 1993 Ike and Tina story, What’s Love Got To Do With It, without the relief of the songs.

Peter Sarsgaard is terrific as Lovelace's scumbag of a husband. Amanda Seyfried delivers a gutsy performance as the naive Lindalovelace

I suppose it has elements of a cautionary tale; the trouble is that the trajectory of the plot is so relentlessly grim that, around half way in, you start wishing everyone’s suffering would end, especially your own.

Directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman evoke the Seventies efficiently enough; what’s missing is the kind of visual panache and colourful characterisation that made a hit of Boogie Nights.

Also absent is any sense that Lovelace’s story is the tip of an iceberg.

As a result of her experiences, she spent her life campaigning against pornography; the directors never tackle the issue, which is whether or not porn degrades women and the people who use it. It’s one hell of an oversight. 

The film has elements of a cautionary tale and tells a thoroughly grim tale

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