Smile For The Camera

The late 60's and early 70's was an interesting time in cinema. Films like Midnight Cowboy and Last Tango In Paris could be slapped with an X rating and still find their way to the Oscars. I recently stumbled across another film that earned an X rating. It didn't earn the kudos or acclaim that Paris and Cowboy did, but it's still worth a look. I'm talking about 1975's Inserts.

Richard Dreyfuss stars as Wonder Boy, an acclaimed filmmaker during the silent era. His career is washed up once the talkies hit. He becomes an alcoholic, impotent shut in who shoots porno's in his mansion. When his leading lady, Veronica Cartwright, overdoses in his restroom, he turns to the producers fiancee, Jesica Harper, to fill in so he can complete the film. An attraction between the two begins to grow.

This was the first feature to be directed by John Byrum, and it's really an impressive debut. Even though it's a movie about the early days of porn, it's the dialogue that drives it more than the nudity or sex. Byrum assembled a terrific cast. I think this is one of Dreyfuss' best performances. He's a disgusting shell of a man who only is alive when he's behind the camera. Harper is great and fearless in her debut. And Cartwright is heartbreaking as a broken actress who always does her best to keep her chin up. Even though she is using cocaine to help her do that. The late Bob Hoskins is the producer and is great as always.

If you aren't prudish about the rating or the subject matter, you should check this out.