Watch JT LeRoy

The movie JT LeRoy is a biographical drama based on the true story of Laura Albert (played by Laura Dern), a writer who gained fame and success under the pseudonym of JT LeRoy in the early 2000s. The movie depicts the events leading up to the reveal that JT LeRoy was actually a fictional persona created by Albert herself, and the controversy that ensued.

The story takes place in the 1990s, when a teenage boy named Jeremiah "JT" LeRoy gains popularity for his raw and gritty writing about his experiences as a prostitute and victim of abuse. The only catch: JT LeRoy doesn't actually exist. The character is a creation of Laura Albert, a middle-aged woman struggling with her own identity and past traumas. To bring the character to life, she enlists her sister-in-law, Savannah Knoop (played by Kristen Stewart), to pose as JT in public appearances and interviews.

As JT's fame grows, so too does Laura's deception. She becomes obsessed with maintaining the illusion of JT's authenticity, going to great lengths to keep up the charade. Meanwhile, Savannah becomes increasingly uncomfortable with her role as the public face of JT, but feels trapped by her loyalty to Laura.

The movie explores themes of identity, truth, and exploitation. Laura's creation of JT can be seen as a coping mechanism for her own traumas and insecurities, but it also becomes a tool for her to gain attention and validation. Savannah, who is only a few years younger than Laura, is drawn into the deception and forced to navigate the expectations of being a young and vulnerable writer thrust into the public eye.

The performances in the movie are strong, particularly Laura Dern's portrayal of Laura Albert. Dern captures the character's vulnerability, manipulation, and need for acceptance in a way that is both unsettling and empathetic. Kristen Stewart is also effective as Savannah, conveying the character's discomfort and confusion as she is pulled deeper into the JT LeRoy illusion.

Jim Sturgess plays Geoff Knoop, Savannah's brother and Laura's partner, who becomes increasingly suspicious of Laura's motives and begins to unravel the truth. Sturgess's performance is strong, but his character is not given as much attention as the others, and his storyline sometimes feels like an afterthought.

Overall, JT LeRoy is a compelling and thought-provoking movie that raises questions about the nature of truth and the power of storytelling. The film is well-directed, with a gritty and realistic tone that brings the audience into the world of JT LeRoy. While the true story behind the movie is controversial and divisive, the movie itself is a worthwhile exploration of the complexities of human behavior and the effects of trauma.

JT LeRoy is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 55.