Author: The JT LeRoy Story

Author: The JT LeRoy Story
Directed byJeff Feuerzeig
Written byJeff Feuerzeig
Produced by
StarringLaura Albert
CinematographyRichard Henkels
Edited byMichelle M. Witten
Music byWalter Werzowa
Production
companies
Distributed byAmazon Studios
Magnolia Pictures
Release dates
Running time
110 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$96,604 (Worldwide)[1]

Author: The JT LeRoy Story is a 2016 American documentary film about American writer Laura Albert and her literary persona JT LeRoy.[2] It examines the critical acclaim given the JT LeRoy books and their international popularity, and the subsequent scandal when it was revealed that LeRoy did not exist and Albert had written the books. Jeff Feuerzeig, the film's writer/director, told Kevin Lally of Film Journal International, “I thought it was the wildest story about story I had ever heard,” and noted, “one voice glaringly missing from all these accounts [was] the voice of the author of the fiction on and off the page, Laura Albert. She had held her story back, and I said: Wow! That’s the voice I would like to hear.”[3]

The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016.[4]

Reception

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 77% based on 92 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads, "Author: The JT LeRoy Story serves as a worthy primer on its fascinating subject as well as an insightful look at the ever-evolving nature of modern celebrity."[5] On Metacritic the film has a score of 72 out of 100, based on reviews from 24 critics.[6]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2017 Cinema Eye Honors The Unforgettables Laura Albert Won [7]
Outstanding Achievement in Graphic Design or Animation Ana Gomez Bernaus, Syd Garon and Chris Kirk Nominated [8]
Writers Guild of America Best Documentary Screenplay Jeff Feuerzeig Nominated [9]
2016 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize: Documentary Nominated [10]
DocAviv The International Competition Nominated
Champs-Élysées Film Festival Prix du jury Nominated [11]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Author: The JT LeRoy Story (2016)". the-numbers.com. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  2. ^ "The Documentary Author: The JT LeRoy Story Is As Riveting As the Events That Inspired It". vulture.com. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  3. ^ "LeRoy Was Here: Jeff Feuerzeig's 'Author' tells the untold story of a literary scandal". fj.webedia.us. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  4. ^ "Sundance 2016: 'Author: The JT Leroy Story' turns a forgotten controversy into a thrilling exploration". latimes.com. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  5. ^ "AUTHOR: THE JT LEROY STORY". rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  6. ^ "Author: The JT LeRoy Story". metacritic.com. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  7. ^ "The Year's Most Unforgettable Documentary Subjects". filmmakermagazine.com. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  8. ^ "Cinema Eye Honors 2017 Winners List: 'Cameraperson' and 'O.J.: Made in America' Lead Awards". indiewire.com. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  9. ^ "'La La Land,' 'Moonlight' Among WGA Theatrical Screenplay Nominations; 'Westworld,' 'Stranger Things' Lead TV Noms". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  10. ^ "The Complete List of Movies Sold at Sundance 2016, and Why Amazon and Netflix Went All Out". vulture.com. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  11. ^ "Champs-Elysees Film Fest Bolsters Connection Between France and the U.S." variety.com. Retrieved 2023-02-09.