The Pornographer

I saw this listed in my TV guide as playing at around 2:30 in the morning. It had no film synopsis, just "Film, starring Michael DeGood." Michael DeGood sounded like a porn star's name and it was named "The Pornographer" so I figured it was some low-grade porn flick. I didn't expect to watch it, but as I was flipping through channels late on Friday night I came across it and was immediately interested because of the fact that, despite its cheap "feel" and porn-film style, it was NOT a porn film and was in fact a very interesting character piece.

It seemed to be a movie like "Taxi Driver" -- an examination of a morally degraded man unable to make contact with the outside world. DeGood is no Robert De Niro but he did come across as a very realistic person.

Whereas "Boogie Nights" was an excellent satire/examination of the porn industry, "Pornographer" is more of a realistic examination of a porn addict and an average man. It's more honest than "Boogie Nights" through the fact that it's less stylistic and more raw and dirty -- more nudity, often appearing as if it's a porn film, but never losing sight of its goal.

I liked the honesty of DeGood's character. He can't talk to women but he can watch a porn film and talk dirty to the screen. Somehow it seemed very real. A balding, average guy seemed to me the perfect choice for the character of Paul.

Overall "The Pornographer" isn't as good as "Boogie Nights" but for my money it's more of an honest portrayal of a man rather than an industry. It's a really good character piece -- don't be deceived by the title!

It doesn't take much thinking about the porn industry to realise that the issues involved with it are complex. To its credit this film manges to present most of the issues lucidly and without moralising. There are a heap of problems with the coherence and logic of the script, but the characters are strong and credible, which helps to overcome this to some extent. The film attempts to analyse users and makers of, and participants in, porno videos and continues with this as the theme throughout until the concocted ending, which like a few other situations within the plot (for example the arranged second meeting with the girl in the park) is quite irritating. No doubt like a lot of other viewers I kind of wish that I could have taken the script and ironed out the problems with it, as it does have a lot of strengths.

This is arguably the best movie ever made!! Given the novice actors in the movie, and the seemingly porno fixture, this flick models the Boogie Nights and takes it to a much greater altitude... Just Scintilling is not the only adjective it deserves!!! Woven into a porn industry base is a great sense of direction and acting. Apart from a suckery end, this was amazing... Bravo!!

This movie captures something special. To bring a seemingly normal man into the porn world through film must be a very tough thing to do. This is exactly what Doug Atchison accomplishes. He brings us down a route that could be easily taking by so many people. Not many realize this. The movie has some superb acting, and what a great treat to see Craig Wasson from Body Double enter the film. The movie also boasts a soundtrack that fits perfectly into the film. The trailer for the movie on the DVD is nearly perfect. All I can really say is go rent this DVD at Hollywood video and check it out. You won't be disappointed in any sense. Great job Doug. Good luck with future projects.

This was a decent movie. It is unique in that the main character is very likable. He loves his dream of making something unique as a filmmaker and money lover. There are some great scenes that could actually be real. It is very realistic in parts and in other parts it is very dark,,,too dark in fact. So dark that you know that there is no way that this could actually be the way adult film making is. Boogie Nights and X Rated are far better. If you want to see a good independant film, this is a good rental. It's on the SUNDANCE channel quite often. Good for a weeknight view. It just doesn't deliver all the goods.