Howl
The Obscenity Trial That Started a Revolution
James Franco stars as counter-culture revolutionary Allen Ginsberg, who recounts the road trips, love affairs and search for personal liberation that led to the most electrifying work of his career: the poem Howl. Meanwhile, in a San Francisco courtroom, Howl is on trial as prosecutor Ralph McIntosh (David Strathairn), defense attorney Jake Ehrlich (Jon Hamm), and a host of witnesses (Jeff Daniels, Mary-Louise Parker) debate the artistic merits of the controversial poem, and whether or not it should be banned from publication.
Member Reviews
I am slowly falling asleep - easyHwolf
I am by no means a literary expert, so perhaps that is why I felt this movie was awful.
The most exciting part of this movie was courtroom action which was probably less than a quarter of the entire movie.
This movie may appeal more to people that actually know Ginsberg and what he struggled through.Heartfelt History - BIKO
I usually avoid movies about people I've known personally or have witnessed over time ( e.g. JFK ) because of the dissonance between the actors and the
"real thing"- I won't be watching "Marilyn", for example. In the case of "Howl" James Franco did a good job as Ginsberg and the supporting cast were
well done and colourful. It's hard now to remember a time when a poem could be banned ( in San Francisco! )but it's something we should know and
this film is an excellent reminder. I loved the animation and felt it added to the story in a real way. A small film but a good one.Poetry brought to life - napierslogs
Allen Ginsberg's poem Howl is brought to life with a mix of adult animation, court-room drama and the beliefs of a young hero of sorts. Ginsberg represented the new generation of the young, confused nonconformists and he wrote poetry that ignited the wrath of the older generation that rejected their freethinking ways. The great thing about "Howl" is that I didn't know any of that before the film, it was able to educate me about a remarkable young man and literary voice.
Howl was accused of being "obscene" and threatened to be banned. The film smartly used the Supreme Court definition of "obscenity", and the reading of the poem itself to help me come to an understanding of the charges laid against the poem. James Franco as Ginsberg helped me come to an understanding of what the man behind the poem was all about.
The animated sequences were abstract and detached me from the film but I'm sure to all the artists out there they represented the poem accurately. The revelations into the mind of Ginsberg were done subtly and wonderfully connected with the arguments in the trial. "Howl" is a well done film that should be enjoyed by everyone with an appreciation of poetry and of poetry in our history.
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Member Reviews
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I am slowly falling asleep - easyHwolf
I am by no means a literary expert, so perhaps that is why I felt this movie was awful.
The most exciting part of this movie was courtroom action which was probably less than a quarter of the entire movie.
This movie may appeal more to people ...Heartfelt History - BIKO
I usually avoid movies about people I've known personally or have witnessed over time ( e.g. JFK ) because of the dissonance between the actors and the
"real thing"- I won't be watching "Marilyn", for example. In the case of "Howl" James Franco did a good ...Poetry brought to life - napierslogs
Allen Ginsberg's poem Howl is brought to life with a mix of adult animation, court-room drama and the beliefs of a young hero of sorts. Ginsberg represented the new generation of the young, confused nonconformists and he wrote poetry that ignited the wrath ...