People vs. Larry Flynt

After watching the film the people vs. Larry Flynt, it is clear that the major message is that all Americans have rights under the constitution. Although in some cases many Americans may not always agree with each other, it is their right and freedom to do so under the Bill of Rights. In particular the first amendment is a major focus of the film. Throughout the entire movie the Larry Flynt character (Woody Harrelson) defends the fact that he is an American, therefore like all other Americans he is protected by the bill of rights and is entitled, specifically, to freedom of speech and freedom of the press.
The film is a good portrayal of how our society and government perceive things as right or wrong. One of the most notable parts of the film is where the Flynt character argues with activists saying, “Murder is illegal but if you take a picture of it you may get your name in a magazine or maybe win a Pullitzer Prize. He continues his argument by saying “sex is legal, but if you take a picture of that act, you can go to jail.” The point the film makes relates directly to the text in chapter two under “institutional adaptation” which states that in order for the constitution to remain viable , it must be able to adapt to changing times and deal with matters the authors could hardly have anticipated (p. 33).
The film points out many weaknesses and flaws in the way courts are operated in America. There is one part in the movie where Flynt’s lawyer Alan Isaacman (portrayed by Edward Norton) tries to present what he feels as evidence to the jury, the judge refuses to let him show the evidence (other pornographic magazines.) Although it is completely legal for a judge to refuse evidence, it shows that a man who is entitled power can still be very biased towards their own ideas and beliefs.

The film is a very accurate portrayal of the true events since the film is based in part on the U.S. Supreme Court case Hustler Magazine v. Falwell. The United States