There have been a few J.T. LeRoy documentaries featuring the writer who became famous, but this biography drama puts a few twists to the plot and deletes some insignificant material to keep it movie flowing. Told from the perspective of the impostor, Savannah Knoop, the movie fills some of her personal life including her alternative sexual proclivity.
Nicely acted and directed however, the movie gets entangled in a showy love story. There’s an exciting performance by Laura Dern and should be noted when the awards start to come around for 2019 films. Directed toward the female age 20 plus audience, that group will not want to miss a word or the acting of Jim Sturgess.
Leaving her home town in Tennessee to start a new life Savannah Knoop (Kristen Stewart) ends up with her brother Geoff (Jim Sturgess) in San Francisco. Living with Geoff is writer Laura Albert (Laura Dern) who has a book titled “Sarah” on the New York Times bestselling list under the pen name of J.T. LeRoy. She also helps to write the lyrics for Twist & Scream, the band that Geoff leads.
Astounded by Savannah’s looks that are almost a dead ringer for J.T. LeRoy, she comes up with an idea. Why not use Savannah as J.T. and show the world that he is real. It would further Laura’s career by getting her out into the public eye as his manager. When Savannah agrees, the two team up for a chance to make millions.
The film goes on from there showing Laura’s determination to get her book up on the big screen. Using Savannah’s youth to woo famous stars and producers, she dresses the young woman hiding her female attributes and teaching her voice control. Director Justin Kelly works with Savannah Knoop to bring a few twists to the story that previously had not been included in the other films about the subject. It’s a good angle and it works here.
The acting performance by Laura Dern is incredibly good showing her domineering persona. As Laura Albert she coaches her new found impostor to develop a “character” as fashioned from a photo on the back page of her book. Then she works with her to take over the role that she has been mimicking on the phone to magazine writers and her book publisher. She even goes so far as to have photos taken of Savannah by one of the major magazines. Outlandish at times and sometimes overbearing, she puts on a show you’ll long remember.
As for Kristin Stewart, I did like her performance as the young “boy” she delivers to the screen. There were times when her character was downplayed by the director, but after thinking it through, after all Stewart was coached by the real Savannah Knoop. She has very good chemistry with Diane Kruger as film actress Eva Avelin.
Speaking about Diane Kruger, she almost steals the show as the pushy actress who lures J.T. into her den of iniquity. She’s looking for the script change rights and the two get it on in a hot scene that lasts about 2 minutes on the screen.
J.T. LeRoy has been rated R by the MPAA for language throughout, sexual content and brief nudity.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A good film that should be liked by age 20 plus women. (3.5 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Laura Dern, Jim Sturgess, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Courtney Love, and Diane Kruger
Director and co-screenwriter: Justin Kelly
Writer (memoir): Savannah Knoop
MPAA Rating: R for language throughout, sexual content and brief nudity
Genre: Biography, Drama
Running Time: 1 hr. 48 min.
Video Release Date: June 4, 2019
Original Theatrical Release Date: April 26, 2019
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: Anamorphic widescreen, Aspect Ratio 2.39:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Latin American Spanish
Number of Discs: 1 disc
Distributed by: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Released on: Blu-ray, DVD, Digital HD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
