JT LE ROY

US, 2018, 108 minutes, Colour.

Kristen Stewart, Laura Dern, Diane Kruger, Jim Sturgess, Kelvin Harrison Jr, Courtney Love.

Directed by Justin Kelly.

Those who come across this story for the first time will probably not believe that it was true. But, it was. Prior to this feature film, there were two documentaries made, 2014, 2016, on the true story of JT Le Roy. Googling will reveal the details and indicate that this film with its intricacies dramatises the main events of this elaborate hoax.

The story took place in the 1990s and into the 2000s. JT LeRoy is the alleged author of a novel about his harsh childhood, his prostitute mother, his making his way in the world. In fact, it was the work of a musician, Laura Albert, unable to promote herself as herself. She has the idea of finding an avatar. And she chooses her boyfriend’s sister, Savannah Knoop. Savannah then becomes the presence of JT LeRoy, allegedly painfully shy, awkward, clothes, white wig, ambiguous in terms of gender… And this took place for several years, public appearances, some press conferences, eventually the issue of the film based on the novel. In fact, the characters are in this film, the European director, in real life was Italian actress-director, daughter of horror film director, Dario Argento, Asia Argento. She became infatuated with JT Laroy and made a film on the novel, The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things. She was not in the know about the reality and was completely dismayed by the Revelation.

Many in the show business world were fans of JT Laroy – and some disillusionment when the truth was revealed. Savannah Knoop then went on to write her story: Girl Boy Girl: How I Became JT Leroy. This film is based on that book, the screenplay cowritten by Savannah Knoop herself along with director, Justin Kelly (whose films have shown interest in this kind of ambiguity, sexual identity, I am Michael, Cobra King).

Kristen Stewart fills the part of JT Leroy/Savannah Knoop but many have commented that many of her performances are in a similar vein. After this film she made Seberg, a portion of actress Jean Seberg. (Later, she was to be Diana, Princess of Wales, Spencer.) In an opposite performance, Laura Dern is Laura Albert, the voice behind JT Leroy, especially in many of her phone calls, and especially to Asia Argento. In public, with red wig and British accent, she appeared as JT Leroy’s mentor, Speedie, an eccentric and intrusive character. Also in the film are Jim Sturgess as Savannah’s musician brother, Kelvin Harrison Jr as Savannah’s boyfriend, and a cameo by Courtney Love. Diane Kruger is the Asia Argento equivalent.

For those who know the story, and it is an interesting dramatisation though not always particularly engaging, given JT Leroy is enigmatic shyness and silence. For those not in the know, perhaps some disbelief.

1. Based on a true story, the actual events, the hoax, the revelation, the aftermath?
2. San Francisco settings, visits to Los Angeles, visits to Paris, American and international flavour? Musical score?
3. Laura Albert, her novel writing, musician, the band, her relationship with Geoff Knoop? Meeting Savannah, getting the idea for the avatar? The many phone calls as JT, her closed-door? The proposal, Savannah agreeing, dressing her in the image of JT? Laura disguising herself as Speedie, the red wig, British accent, intrusive, getting in the way, guiding, advising?
4. The hoax developing, public appearances, JT and extreme shyness, clothing, the white wig, enigmatic comments? The prospect of the film, going to Paris, the meetings with Eva? Eva and her infatuation with her image of JT, wanting to make the film, the screenplay, to play JT’s mother? The discussions, the sexual encounter? The visits to the US, the making of the film, atmosphere of the set, JT’s presence? The completion of the film, going to Cannes, the red carpet? The revelation of the truth? Eva upset?
5. Savannah, working in the bar, meeting Sean, the relationship, his personality, support, knowing the hoax, his shock at the betrayal with Eva?
6. Geoff, relationship with his sister, with Laura, exasperation about practising for the band, the music, the lyrics, his awareness of the truth?
7. The consequences, Savannah, interviews, phone calls, journalists, expose? Her going to the book signing, Laura and her success, the fans? Farewelling Laura? Going on to write her book…