Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/711111
23 Q3 2016 / CINEMONTAGE The first cut was three hours long and the final 129-minute cut was locked in September, barely a month before the New York premiere. The National Organization of Women had issued a statement attacking the yet-unseen film back in May, but the end of 1996 saw Larry Flynt on about 50 Top Ten lists. On January 7, 1997, The New York Times ran an article by Gloria Steinem claiming the movie glorified Flynt and was "even more cynical than the man" because it didn't own up to Hustler's sexism. Following up, she placed a full-page ad in Variety on January 17, paid for by Ralph Nader, to influence the film's Academy Awards chances. It received just two nominations — for Forman's direction and Harrelson's performance. Wishing the controversy would go away, Columbia gave no tickets to Flynt for the Oscars ceremony on February 28, but Harrelson took him as his guest. Neither the actor nor the director won, but earlier in the month The People vs. Larry Flynt won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival and Forman was honored with the Torch of Liberty Award by the American Civil Liberties Union. On its initial run, the movie made $20 million, barely covering its advertising budget. The studio wrote off the $36 million production costs as a loss. In support of the film, writer/producer Naomi Foner (Running on Empty, 1988) wrote, "The movie did expose the inevitable results of multiple sex partners and drug abuse." Perhaps understanding this himself, Flynt has said, "I will always hold myself responsible for Althea's [AIDS-related] death." The film's moving final images weave these individual realities within the larger context of American society. As Forman stated, "I don't say you should like what Larry Flynt does, but I admire the fact that I live in a country where I can take Hustler and read it as well as throw it away. The fact that this is the freest country in the world doesn't mean you can take it for granted, because we will never conquer the stupidity of fanatics and power-hungry megalomaniacs." f THIS QUARTER IN FILM HISTORY The People vs. Larry Flynt. Columbia Pictures/ Photofest