Rating: 
Summary: Viva La Fluff!
Review: "The Fluffer" is, despite the fact that it's landscape and subject matter are that of the gay porn biz, actually a very mainstream-friendly movie. Espcecially since "alternative" is the new mainstream. People are falling all over themselves to find the next big, untapped market, and porn may well be it. The production values here are top notch, the acting superb, the characters fleshed out (no pun intended) and the central story and conflict are compelling. It is shot with much more style and verve than most of what's on the Sundance channel, too. It has a great look to it, and a wonderfully dry humor in the form of recurring comic motifs that are easy to miss if you're not paying attention. There was a time, not so long ago, when this would have been a hard movie to sell, except to a very select audience, but since "Boogie Nights" lifted the stigma of porn and boosted it's appeal as one of the final frontiers untapped by the mainstream, it should have no problem getting out there. It's actually a better film than "Boogie Nights" too.
Rating: 
Summary: A lot of skin, but not much substance
Review: "The Fluffer" may be best described as a "Boogie Nights" wannabe, as it falls far short to grant adequate substance to the film's three main characters, each working within the adult entertainment industry. Scott Gurney plays Mike 'Johnny Rebel', a muscular, straight, egocentric, narcisstic drug addict who has found success working as a "gay-for-pay" porn star. Roxanne Day plays Babylon, Mike's girlfriend who works as a stripper. Michael Cunio plays Sean McGinnis, a young, naive, gay neophyte who finds a job as a cameraman with the same porn studio where Mike works.After recently moving to Hollywood with the hopes of working in the mainstream film industry, the film begins with Sean going to a local videostore. He rents what he thinks is "Citizen Kane", but it turns out to be a similarly titled gay porn film starring 'Johnny Rebel'. Sean quickly develops a crush on 'Johnny Rebel' and obsessively proceeds to rent many more porn films all starring his new idol. Obsession leads Sean to go to the porn studio "Men of Janus" (where 'Johnny Rebel' works) to offer his services as a cameraman. Sean is hired, as he also turns down an opportunity to work for a mainstream studio. During his first film shoot, Sean's dream comes true as he gets to film 'Johnny Rebel' himself. When Mike ('Johnny Rebel'), has difficulty performing, Sean volunteers to be Mike's "fluffer"; but to his dissappointment, he also learns that Mike is straight and only does gay porn for the money. Sean's obsession for Mike continues to plague his decisions throughout the course of the film, even as he learns that Mike isn't as wonderful as he would like to believe, as Mike is a self-absorbed, drug-addicted narcissist that treats everyone close to him very poorly, especially his girlfriend, Babylon. Once Babylon gets pregnant, her relationship with Mike predictably sours. By far the biggest star in the film is the singer Debbie Harry, who plays a minor role as Babylon's boss at the striptease club who consoles her over her difficulties with Mike. As with Sean, Babylon's expectations of Mike are unrealistic. Sean's obsession for Mike leads him to go with Mike to Mexico after the "Men of Janus" fire Mike for showing up too late for a film shoot. In Mexico, Sean finally realizes that he's wasting his time chasing after Mike. Of the three main characters, Roxanne Day's acting is the best, followed by Scott Gurney. Michael Cunio's acting falls short. Clearly Scott Gurney's presence in the film is to portray the ultimate, superficial gay male fantasy and he carries it off well; but one of the film's major flaws is that he is never shown exercising, nor do I recall him ever talking about going to a gym. Musculature like his would require regular 1-3 hours of exercise, 4 to 5 times per week. How would someone as addicted to drugs as Mike is portrayed find the commitment to exercise to that extent? The talent of the other actors in this film is wasted: Taylor Negron, Richard Riehle, Tim Bagley and Robert Walden (whose character was similar to that of Burt Reynolds in "Boogie Nights", but no where as good). Scott Gurney in his various show-off outfits is definitely what will draw many to watch "The Fluffer", but you might want to rent the film first before deciding to purchase it, especially if you are more interested in substance.
Rating: 
Summary: Has some merit, but utimately dull
Review: A lot less provocative than you might think, this one has some really good stuff going for it. The reality of the gay porn industry, some nice performances, well-made. But - and it's a big one -- I really hate these films that do the gay boy chasing the bad straight boy thing. It seems degrading and after a point in the plot, a little unrealistic. What ruined this film for me was the last half hour. I won't spoil it but it seemed forced, overly dramtic and ultimately a little dumb. Really, porn is porn and Boogie Nights did this 1000 times better. Rent, but I would not buy.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't care less
Review: A porn viewer goes into an agency to get a job. They ask him if he understands what a fluffer is. He does. It is someone who is there to keep adult film stars stimulated between scenes. He is apparently really good at what he does because one star decides to use him all the time. But after thirty minutes of jumping in and out of everywhere without good transitions, the movie began to feel more like a porn movie without sex than whatever it was meant to be. I turned it off and have not gone back to it since then. Maybe I will when I have nothing else to do and desperate for something to watch.
Rating:
Summary: Fluffer was daring but falls apart towards the end
Review: Alas, I finally got in to see "The Fluffer" during it SF run at the theatre it was being screened at. The movie did build up to its story plot line but suddenly stalls towards the end and falls apart. Main character "Sean" played by Michael Cunio was pretty much setting himself up thinking that his favorite idol "Johnny Rebel" played by Scott Gurney will fall into his arms and live hapilly ever after.
Rating:
Summary: Just because it's a gay movie doesn't make it a good one!
Review: Almost boring, but a little moving at moments. Far, far from a good film. Chock full of typical gay coming of age movie cliches. The main character is good, but underwritten. And what's the deal with the female stripper scenes? I love female nudity when it's appropriate (Center of the World), but this was way out of place. Gratuitous. And no male nudity? It's a gay film featuring Gay "Porn Stars". Geez! The only enjoyable characters are the photographer and the secretary! They get about 5 mins of screen time. Skip it.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best
Review: Althought the premise had potential, the story line did not fulfil the promise that was expected. The characture development was not fully explored. The actors did what they could with the story line that they had. I felt that to often the story just shifted directions. This left to many unanswereed questions about the charactures. I realize that Johney can't die, but what about running on the beach? Is he in St Ignacio? By the way, this town in is the middle of Baja California. What about making noise to attract the whales?
Rating:
Summary: Gay, Schmay...A Good Movie Is A Good Movie!
Review: Am I an anomoly? I am a heterosexual female who LOVED this film! Of course, my perspective may be skewed since I worked on the movie, as an ADR artist. (That's voiceover to the rest of the world.) In fact, a lot of the sex noises you hear came from my dulcet throat. Nevertheless, when I saw the completed film, I was stunned at how riveting it was. Usually what's termed a "gay movie" has little to recommend it if you're not part of the gay community. With "The Fluffer" however, I found that the plotline and plot twists were original and engrossing. I cried towards the end of the film, for God's sake...and I worked on it. That, to me, is the hallmark of good filmmaking. I adore Wash West (co-director) and I had the extreme pleasure of working with Richard Glatzer (other co-director) in 1993's "Grief". Working with them both, however, was a high watermark in my filmmaking experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat. That's my take on "The Fluffer". So if I love it, imagine how YOU'LL feel about it...!
Rating:
Summary: My day job
Review: As an experienced 'fluffer' of more than five years, it is a joy to see my work make it to the small screen at last. Although this representation is not the most accurate one, I can certainly see myself in this wonderful piece of art. The joy I obtain from the daily 'grind' of preparing my boys for action is enhanced greatly when I watch this DVD (over and over again). If you want to check out another great movie in this fantastic genre, check out 'Aroused' - I have three copies, one for the TV-room, one for my bedroom, and one for my in-car DVD-player, so that I can watch men get hard all the way to work - it sort of prepares me for the tasks ahead...
Rating:
Summary: An insightful look into the gay porn industry....
Review: Call me strange, but I have a huge facination for 'behind the scenes' movies and documentaries about the porn industry and those who perform on camera. I actually find it more facinating than porn itself. Even in our so called 'modern' society, sex is still very much mostly reserved for behind closed doors. So people who go that extra step in life and open up their sexuality for the world to see intrigue me. So when I came across this DVD - a fictious behind the scenes look at the gay porn industry and the people associated with it, I couldn't resist the urge to add it to my ever expanding DVD library. I have read alot of negative reviews from gay men and in the gay press about this movie. Perhaps they were expecting something titilating??? If you're expecting to be aroused, then look elsewhere. The Fluffer is a no holds barred look at the gay porn industry. I have read reviews from people actually involved in the industry and basically their comments where that it is very realistic as to what actually happens. The story basically comprises the downfall of a popular male porn star, and the effects this has on those around him, including his girlfriend and the guy hired to 'fluff' him but who also has a major in infatuation with him. The porn industry is presented merely as a business - and just like any profit based business, it is designed to make money. What ends up on video is just fantasy, and not realistically representative of what happens behind the scenes in the porn world or indeed in sex between 2 people. Just like 'mainstream' movies really - there is a script and people act out a fantasy. Porn is really no different. Though there is nothing wrong with fantasy! The viewer is left to make up their own mind about the porn world from this movie. It is neither presented in a positive or negative way. It's quite refeshing that the filmmakers' haven't imposed their own thoughts and judgements on the viewer. It would seem as though it is a negative assessment of the porn world, considering the downfall of the major porn character 'Johnny Rebel', but as one of the behind the secenes crew points out - working in a department store also stuff's people up, why should porn be any different? Wonderful performances from all of the cast here - especially Scott Gurney. He underplays the role for emotionally subtly to perfection. The DVD is well presented with good picture quality. The audio commentary from the two directors is wonderful - always entertaining and engaging, and they discuss many wonderful aspects of not only the movie, but the porn industry as well. A selection of deleted scenes adds interest and value - especially with the optional audio commentary. A gallery of the mocked - up porn video covers is included - and they are so realistic apparently guys were contacting the producers as to where one could purchase the movies!!! There is also an interesting extra called 'Johnny Rebel extras' - basically a composite of extended scenes and the odd outtake. Very entertaining, but far too short. A gallery of movie stills and trailers for other movies round out the selection of extras. It's great to see these small, independant features being released with an entertaining set of extras -I hope this trend continues. If you're interested in the behind the scenes aspects of the gay porn industry, and are not afraid to face reality, make sure you see this DVD.
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