JT Leroy - BFI Flare

It all started with a phone call and ended up one of the biggest literary 'hoaxes' of our time. Or at least that's what the media reported. 'JT Leroy', written by Savannah Knoop who embodied the author for 6 years shares her story through a fictionalised telling.

Formally published at VultureHound HERE.

There are two sides to every story and the mystery that surrounded the literary cult figure of JT Leroy is just like any other, even beyond the novels, the phone calls, the ‘other’ characters, the so-called hoax, this story has two sides. It’s easy to say that the film ‘JT Leroy’ co-written by artist Savannah Knoop, who was the public side of the now infamous character/author, is a response or companion piece to the documentary that came out in 2016 which was about the real JT Leroy, author Laura Albert. But as this film is presented as a ‘based on true story’ story, its stands up by itself as both a work of fiction and insight to real people and events.

Not long after moving to San Francisco, aspiring artist Savannah meets her brother’s girlfriend Laura Albert. Over six years, she impersonates the literary icon of the moment, JT Leroy, who is in fact a character Laura created as the author of her books. Together they navigate the world of celebrities, press and the literary scene through JT, Savannah embodying him physically while Laura wrote his words and gave interviews over the phone. But with the risk of exposure hanging over their heads, they have to decide who they really are.

If you weren’t familiar with JT Leroy the author, or the real author herself, Laura Albert or the hoax media circus that surrounded her and Savannah Knoop back in the early 2000s, this may seem like a character piece and slight view into how Knoop embodied the physical persona. This is about Knoop and her journey, where it begins and ends. Laura is present, is the driving force behind this charade because of her own insecurities and issues. Its delicate retelling of a story, with details changed, such as the book that was adapted and the fictional actress who directed it. These changes from the real story are there for those who read the books, followed the ‘author’ and were present for the big reveal. They serve as reminders that, this film, is fiction and this is how Knoop, who wrote the screenplay, wants to tell her side of the story. 

With the aesthetics of the late 90s and early 2000s, the costumes, colours and feel of the film bring alive the time of JT Leroy, the height of his popularity as well as giving an insight to how Knoop and Albert felt. Kristen Stewart is brilliant as Savannah, showing her pain and worry over whether what the two women are doing is right. But Laura Dern does really steal the screen with her portrayal of the writer Laura Albert. Equal parts a version of how she was perceived by others as well as evoking sympathy for her past and her struggles with being pushed out of the spot light and not appreciated as the real author. Together Justin Kelly and Knoop have created a story and film for fans of JT Leroy, those who enjoyed the media circus of the mystery and for those who are only now discovering the real story as well as the books.