After Porn Ends (2012)

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

Even though I have found the production of this documentary pretty simple and cheap (the reason of my 5/10 punctuation), I have also come across some interesting ideas by myself out of it: I really think this is the kind of show from which you can take many more thoughts if you stop it and analyze it in your mind.Will they ever have a normal life, even if not being recognized? Will their kids be able to understand sex on a safe way? And by the way: what is "understanding sex safely"? Did their career had something to do with their childhood? Is society an hypocrite or were they wrong?The list goes on and on and just doesn't involve sex and life-choices but also matters such as religion, society, politics and family. A tale told by the top of the iceberg.PS: English is not my first language so sorry for any grammar mistakes. Corrections will be appreciated.

Despite the provocative poster and provocative title, there's very little provocative material in here. For what you were actually expecting, I'd recommend Louis Theroux's documentaries on the subject. After Porn Ends seems content with the fact that porn stars have to exist after the cameras stop rolling, and after they retire; and as such, it meanders. There's no great sense of purpose or depth to any of the questions. Its more than a bit depressing, but not in a fascinating way like in Theroux's works. Having said all that, some of the stars are quite likable in small doses so I got some enjoyment out of that. Just not very much. 1/5

Before we start, a quick nit - why the "Ends" in the title, it doesn't add any understand-ability and it sounds more dramatic without it. Anyway, the documentary which covers precisely the material as advertised could easily have been a NPR "Frontline" installment except for the spliced in footage of the subjects' past lives. Kudos to Bryce Wagoner for using that footage both sparingly and as archival material rather than wallowing in it to raise the titillation factor of the film. Also kudos for a balanced presentation between "actors" who suffered from their prior involvement with those who profited from it and those for whom it was just something they did for a living in the past like selling insurance or bookkeeping. Of course, this does take some of heat out of the proceedings and the film does allow the audience's minds to wonder on several occasions particularly during extended interviews. Also, the subject is limited: of course, most former stars will go on to some of a normal life while others will hang on to the industry given a lack of other employment options. In short, a tidy but limited documentary.

After Porn ends is an insightful and often poignant documentary that not only reveals the different paths chosen by those who have retired from the adult movie industry, but which also delves into their reasons for entering that particular career in the first place.Amongst those interviewed for the film:Tiffany Millions, the bounty hunter/investigator, who has gone from sucking dick to being a private dick. Raylene, the estate agent, who turned to selling houses instead of her body. Crissy Moran, the religious convert, who is still to be found on her knees, only now it's while praying to God. Randy West, the golfer, who went from shaving his balls to hitting them. Amber Lynn, the counsellor, who now gives advice instead of head. John Leslie, the artist—less vinegar strokes, more brush strokes. Houston, the nursing student, who swapped ATM for A&E.It's a wildly varying set of stories: some of the ex-pornstars seem to be thankful to the adult video industry for the money and opportunities that it afforded them, while others are clearly embarrassed or regretful about their past. Some of them entered the business out of choice, as a means of earning an easy wage, while others gravitated towards porn as the result of a difficult or abusive childhood. Some successfully stay out of porn, but others find it hard to say no forever. Whatever the case, it's interesting to see these people laying bare their souls instead of their bodies.6.5 out of 10, rounded up to 7 for IMDb.