It’s not surprising that such a study of human fallibility is set in the porn business-not because of any inherent moral failings in that world, but because cinematic depictions of its residents invariably end up showing people losing their lives, their marbles, their faith in themselves. This is one of the most painful aperçus of a film that isn’t short on insights to make you wince-insights into vulnerability, acquisitiveness, exploitation, vanity, violence. Then he discovers that, without the name, he’s nothing.
The film centers on a young gay porn star who takes the name “Brent Corrigan.” When he breaks away from the pimpresario who launched him, Brent decides to peddle his talent elsewhere-after all, his body and his flirtatious looks to camera are what made him a star, and they haven’t changed. It’s also a fascinating essay on the nature of star appeal, and the primacy of the Brand. Based on a true story-and a deliriously tawdry one at that-Justin Kelly’s King Cobra is a sometimes agonizing study of love, lust, need, and money.