The Real Linda Lovelace (2001)
*** (out of 4)
This U.K. documentary promises to introduce us to the "real" Linda Lovelace but I'd have to question how successful it is. There are a few different people interviewed here but the main person is Chuck Traynor, her now infamous first husband. The documentary tells Linda's story while we also hear from Traynor who usually goes against what was presented in Linda's first book, which she claimed she was forced into what became her profession.
For the most part this is an entertaining documentary but trying to figure out the "real" Linda is nearly impossible as the film points out. She had so many different sides in her life that it's hard to know which was really her. She became famous for DEEP THROAT and road its coattails to fame but later she said that she was forced to do it and even rallied to get the film banned. Then, later in life, she went against the feminist who she had previously fought with.
It seems some look at Lovelace as nothing more than a liar while others see her as some sort of victim. I personally think the truth is somewhere in the middle and for the most part this film offers up an entertaining look at her life. Depending on which side of the fence you're on, you might say the film sides more with Linda was lying about the abuse or at least not being fully honest in her books. You can be the judge.