Inside Deep Throat is a funny, entertaining, and exhaustive look at the infamous 1972 porn movie Deep Throat.

I was too young to be aware of Deep Throat when it came out. As an adult, I heard of the movie, and it's star Linda Lovelace, but I didn't really know much. For those who were adults at the time, or perhaps interested teens, this movie might not present much new information.

What's in Inside Deep Throat?

* A brief look at other porn movies of the day. The clips from the "educational" movie are hilarious.

* The story of the making of Deep Throat. The movie was made for $25,000 with little planning, and much improvisation. Yes, clips from the movie are shown.

* The reaction to Deep Throat: being shut down in 23 states, popularity of the film (especially with press of celebrities viewing it), and the trial. Deep Throat grossed over $600 million, making it the most profitable movie in history.

* Coverage of the mob involvement.

* A follow-up of what happened to Linda Lovelace, Gerard Damiano (the director), and Harry Reems (the leading man).

* Interviews with various celebrities: Hugh Heffner, Gore Vidal, Erica Jong, John Waters, and others.

What's so entertaining about it?
Much of the film is told in a humorous, light-hearted way. There are funny clips from porn movies, and sometimes it's just the way information is presented. For example, during an interview with Deep Throat's Florida distributor, the distributor's wife is in the background repeatedly admonishing him not to talk about certain details... but she is letting herself be captured on film and making a bigger point about these items.

The soundtrack includes lots of songs from the '70s, to help set the context.

Because there is such a breadth of coverage, the film does not get bogged down with any one aspect. This might be frustrating for someone who was expecting greater depth on a particular topic (especially on the sometimes contradictory Linda Lovelace). But is also keeps the pace moving, and the film entertaining.

Is this just another opinion piece?
Inside Deep Throat provides a balance portrayal on both the positive and certain of the negative aspects of the film. You see people enjoying the film as part of the "sexual revolution" of the time, and praise for the film for the importance it places on women's pleasure.

But it also shows the darker sides: the mob involvement, Linda Lovelace's coercion into the industry, and the deleterious after-effects on both the stars.

However, the part of the film is also clearly an opinion piece against censorship. There are soundbites from people who would like to censor this and other porn films.... but they are never allowed to make a coherent case for their point of view.

Recommended: Yes