Wherever you stand on the morality of pornography, it’s hard to deny it’s intriguing. And anyone who knows porn legend Ron Jeremy will be intrigued at how it is possible that a fat, hairy and fairly unattractive man who looks like he hasn’t showered in ages could be the most successful male porn actor of all time.
The film shows Jeremy as a good-natured man, who is kind and lonely. From a young age he wanted to be a performer. He stumbled into porn by accident after a picture of him appeared in PLAYGIRL, which showed off his talents – if you know what I mean. He’s been stuck in porn ever since. Known as the Clown Prince of Porn for his sense of humor, he has appeared in some mainstream films and has a side career as a stand-up comedian. However, his friend Al “Grandpa Munster” Lewis describes his stand-up act perfectly – “the worst I’ve ever seen.”
As a character study, the film collects details about Jeremy, which add up to an intriguing, if sometimes sad picture. He's rich and famous, but not in a way that he wants to be. He states that he actually embarrassed by much of his early work. Many of the veterans of the porn industry find him sweet and gentle. However, in one painful sequence, a new wannabe porn queen cannot hide the repulsion on her face when she is preparing for a sex scene with him. Those who don't know who he is may look at his disheveled appearance and think that he may be a crazy person, as he uses garbage bags as his suitcase and scribbles down thoughts and phone numbers is a tattered old notebook. This doesn't bode well for having a girlfriend. Sadly though he longs to have kids. But what does he accept when he says that women are second to food at making a party a success.
His story reminded me of Ed Wood in many ways. He has the drive, but not the talent. His desire for mainstream acceptance is often hindered by his previous work. More than once a part of his in a mainstream film has been cut when the studio discovers whom he really is. Your appreciation of the film may hinge on your tolerance of porn (though the film has nothing more graphic in it than would be on Cinemax late at night). The film takes a look into a fascinating world that few people want to admit that they know anything about.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
