Watch Inserts

"Inserts" is a fascinating, darkly humorous exploration of Hollywood's seedy underbelly set in 1930s Los Angeles. Directed by John Byrum, the film stars Richard Dreyfuss as Boy Wonder, a former wunderkind filmmaker who has fallen from grace and now makes pornography in his mansion with a group of loyal misfits. Boy Wonder, who is heavily reliant on drugs, alcohol, and his own ego, becomes fascinated with a newcomer to the porn industry, film actress Cathy Cake (Jessica Harper), and makes it his mission to help her transition from mainstream cinema to the sleazy world of pornography.

The film's setting is perfectly captured through its visual style; soft-focus lenses and carefully selected lighting create a sense of a bygone era while highlighting the hedonistic lifestyles of its characters. Boy Wonder's mansion is a playground of excess, where sex, drugs, and booze flow freely, and it feels like a place where time has stopped. Still, as the outside world advances and cinema changes, Boy Wonder is left behind, resulting in his desperation becoming more evident as the film progresses.

As the movie progresses, we see Boy Wonder's inner circle of friends, including his producer, Big Mac (a charismatic Bob Hoskins), and his assistant, Harlene (Veronica Cartwright), slowly begin to question their loyalty to him. As Boy Wonder becomes more erratic, abusive, and controlling, the group realizes that the filmmaker they once idolized was now a broken and dangerous man. Meanwhile, Cathy Cake, whom Boy Wonder has placed all his bets on, becomes increasingly uncomfortable with her situation and starts to question her career choices.

"Inserts" is full of dark, uncomfortable truths about the film industry, and it doesn't shy away from showing the seedy parts of Hollywood in the 1930s. The movie touches on themes like power, addiction, and exploitation - elements that are still prevalent in Hollywood today. Despite its subject matter, the film offers a unique look at a world that has fascinated audiences for decades.

One of the movie's strengths is its outstanding performances. Richard Dreyfuss delivers a masterful performance as Boy Wonder, playing the character with a mixture of charm, petulance, and cruelty. Dreyfuss manages to imbue the character with both a sense of desperation and despair, making the viewer empathize with him, despite his grotesque behaviors. Jessica Harper, who was mostly known for her work in musicals before "Inserts," gives a stunning performance as Cathy Cake, portraying the character with a mix of innocence, curiosity, and discomfort. Bob Hoskins, who was beardless for the first time in years, shines as Big Mac. Hoskins brings a sense of levity to the movie, but his character is also the voice of reason in a world that has none.

The film also boasts an excellent screenplay by John Byrum, which manages to combine humor, drama, and tragedy in equal measure. The dialogue is sharp and witty, and Byrum never shies away from pushing the characters' boundaries. The movie's pacing is deliberate, and it allows the tension to build gradually up to its conclusion.

"Inserts" is a unique movie that explores the darker side of Hollywood's golden era. The movie is both cynical and nostalgic, presenting a world where ambition and creativity can be both the salvation and the destruction of its characters. The film may not be for everyone, as it deals with explicit content and may be too dark for some viewers. However, for those who are willing to go along with its twisted journey, the movie proves to be a rewarding cinematic experience that manages to stay with you long after the credits roll.

Inserts is a 1976 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.