Not Coming to a Theater Near You

With certainty the most successful pornographic film made is Deep Throat. The film was an instant hit in 1972, earning verbal accolades from famous Hollywood players, and recouping its $22,000 budget without delay. As of 2002, Deep Throat is reported to have earned over 600 million dollars worldwide.

The film stars Linda Lovelace, as herself, who wields the ability referenced not-so-subtly in the title. The premise: Lovelace finds she is unable to be sexually gratified (after many, many attempts). A visit to a doctor (the endowed Harry Reems) yields the find that her clitoris is in the back of her throat. This is found in an obvious misusage of props; the doctor holds a telescope close to her open mouth.

Lovelace “tests” her handicap, of sorts, resulting in the doctor’s suggestion of a career in physiotherapy. This cues her only wardrobe change, into a nurse’s uniform. Without honor to the science’s true definition, Lovelace proceeds to abet male patients with odd sexual problems. Deep Throat is equal parts clever pornography and coming-of-age.

Deep Throat contains the more aesthetic successes of pornography: visual metaphors, clever pseudonyms, and an emphasized theme song; and the genre’s worst traits: poor acting, poor shooting, and an inordinate amount of pubic hair. Its redeeming quality is that it has no inhibition and is at once engaging and successfully tacky. Despite its belonging to a genre in which polyester and unrealistic dialogue abound, Deep Throat is a highly idiosyncratic film with strengths that transcend its inherent kitsch.