Star 80 (1983)
Directed by Bob Fosse
Paul Snider is a narcissistic, small time hustler who fancies himself a ladies man. His life changes when he meets Dorothy Stratten working behind the counter of a Dairy Queen. Under his guidance Dorothy grows to fame as a Playboy Playmate. But when Dorothy begins pursuing an acting career, the jealous Paul finds himself elbowed out of the picture by more famous men.
2 connections found
View:
2 connections, in both directions
What critics compared Star 80 to
The filmmakers' best idea was to feature Eric Roberts in a cameo, but "Lovelace" is a far cry from "Star 80."
Supporting roles are expertly filled by such talented actors as Hank Azaria, Chris Noth, Bobby Cannavale , and Adam Brody, with a brief appearance by Eric Roberts as a reminder of a not-dissimilar story, Star 80. I’ve already read complaints that the film doesn’t tell enough of the Deep Throat backstory (which is well covered in the documentary Inside Deep Throat), or that we don’t learn enough about Lovelace’s youth, later problems, and outspoken campaign against pornography and sexual abuse.
This story follows the similar path of Bob Fosse's lacerating 1983 biopic "Star 80" in which Eric Roberts' abusive husband shotguned to death his sexy wife, Playboy Playmate Dorothy Stratton (Mariel Hemingway), rather than lose control of her.
Suddenly, it’s Star 80 minus Bob Fosse’s artistic eye and Eric Roberts’ creepshow turn as Paul Snider.
Rather than follow the Boogie Nights template, Lovelace evokes Bob Fosse’s thematically similar Star 80 in its intimate take on the partnership between a violent hustler and the naïve, suggestible woman he feels the need to abuse and control.
The rest of Lovelace is strangely superficial and remote, constantly evoking two other, far better movies: Boogie Nights, Paul Thomas Anderson’s exuberant look at the adult film industry, and Star 80, Bob Fosse’s recounting of the death of Playboy centerfold Dorothy Stratten at the hands of the opportunist who “discovered” her.
In his first starring role as every girl's psychopathic dream date in "Fear," Wahlberg proves himself the spookiest sweetheart since Eric Roberts preyed on poor Mariel Hemingway in "Star 80."