The People vs. Larry Flynt 1996

As the 1950s gave way to the tumultuous 1970s, Larry Flynt (Woody Harrelson) had transformed from a scrappy Kentucky moonshine peddler into the enigmatic entrepreneur behind Cincinnati’s Hustler Go-Go club. With his younger brother Jimmy (Brett Harrelson) by his side, Flynt hatched a plan to publish a newsletter featuring the club’s sultry performers, which soon evolved into the provocative magazine that bore his name. Despite initial struggles, Flynt’s audacious venture finally hit its stride in 1975 when he published a controversial issue featuring none other than Jackie Kennedy Onassis, sending sales soaring.

As Hustler’s notoriety grew, so did Flynt’s fascination with Althea Leasure (Courtney Love), a tantalizing stripper who worked at one of his clubs. With her and Jimmy’s help, Flynt’s fortunes flourished, attracting the ire of anti-pornography activists who saw him as a symbol of everything that was wrong with society. Undeterred, Flynt would often engage in impassioned debates with his detractors, pointing out the hypocrisy of a society that condoned violence but criminalized sexuality.

As his fame and fortune grew, so did Flynt’s entourage, including a young lawyer named Alan Isaacman (Edward Norton), who shared Flynt’s passion for fighting against the status quo. In 1975, however, Flynt suffered a crushing defeat in a Cincinnati court case, only to be released from jail on a technicality shortly thereafter. It was during this period that he met Ruth Carter Stapleton (Hanover), a devout Christian activist and sister of President Jimmy Carter, who implored him to turn his life around and find God.

Flynt’s spiritual awakening had a profound impact on both his personal and professional life, influencing the very tone and content of Hustler magazine. But just as it seemed like he was finding a new sense of purpose, tragedy struck in 1978 when Flynt and Isaacman were shot by an unknown assailant outside a Georgia courthouse. While Isaacman miraculously recovered, Flynt’s injuries left him paralyzed from the waist down, forcing him to rely on a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

The emotional toll of this devastating event was compounded by Flynt’s growing addiction to painkillers and depression, which led him to abandon his faith and retreat to the opulent surroundings of Beverly Hills, California. It was there that he hit rock bottom, surrounded by the trappings of success but devoid of purpose or joy. Althea, too, struggled with her own demons, becoming hooked on painkillers and morphine in a desperate bid to dull the physical and emotional pain that had become her constant companion.

As the 1980s dawned, Larry Flynt’s (Larry Flynt) post-operative euphoria proved to be a fleeting reprieve from the chaos that had come to define his life. His return to the helm of Hustler Publications was met with a mix of excitement and trepidation, as his loyal cohorts Althea (Althea) and Jimmy struggled to keep the ship afloat in his prolonged absence. However, Flynt’s renewed sense of purpose was short-lived, as he found himself embroiled in yet another court battle over leaked videos related to the John DeLorean entrapment scandal. His courtroom antics, which included firing Isaacman (Isaacman) and brandishing an American flag as an adult diaper, left many stunned. The judge was not immune to his ire, earning a verbal assault from Flynt, who also donned an army helmet and sported T-shirts emblazoned with provocative slogans like “I Wish I Was Black” and “Fuck This Court.” Ultimately, this outburst landed him in a psychiatric ward, where he succumbed to the crushing weight of depression. A diagnosis of bipolar disorder followed, accompanied by a regimen of treatment.

In an effort to reclaim his public persona, Flynt published a scathing parody ad featuring Christian fundamentalist preacher Jerry Falwell (Jerry Falwell) recounting a salacious encounter with his mother. This affront prompted Falwell to sue for libel and emotional distress, while Flynt countered by alleging copyright infringement. The case ultimately went to trial in December 1984, resulting in a mixed verdict: Flynt was found guilty of inflicting emotional distress but not libel.

Meanwhile, Althea’s health had begun to decline precipitously. Diagnosed with HIV, she eventually succumbed to AIDS in the bathtub, leaving Flynt devastated and alone. Undeterred, he implored Isaacman to appeal the Falwell decision to the Supreme Court of the United States, but his erstwhile ally refused, citing Flynt’s courtroom antics as a source of shame. Flynt’s pleas fell on deaf ears until he convinced Isaacman to take up the cause once more. In 1988, they argued the “emotional distress” decision before the Supreme Court in Hustler Magazine v. Falwell. With Flynt seated in the courtroom, the justices delivered a unanimous verdict overturning the original ruling. As the dust settled, Flynt retreated to his bedroom, surrounded by old videotapes of Althea’s vibrant youth, her radiant health a poignant reminder of the transience of life and the enduring power of resilience.