2008

A recipe for modern film comedy: Urine, feces, vomit, semen. Stir. Serves millions.

"In the Gutter" chronicles how such one-time unmentionables broke barriers and have become virtual plot points in today 's movies. The one-hour documentary "? originally broadcast on cable's Starz channel "? is not for the faint of heart, nor for those adverse to naked flesh, but actually treats its subject matter seriously.

Well, as serious as one can be when discussing the infamous shower scene from "Porky's."

Using lots of unflinching footage and talking-head interviews with actors and directors (some are suspect; others, like John Waters, are authorities), "Gutter" treads the scummy waters of pioneering films like the X-rated cartoon "Fritz the Cat" and the raunchy sketch comedy "Kentucky Fried Movie," to the frat-house sex flicks of the 1980s, to the critically praised Judd Apatow productions of today, which add heart to farts to make art.

If nothing else, "In the Gutter" is recommended so one can see all the scenes you may have heard about, but never saw. Just remember: You can't erase anything you see, and there's one clip I'd very much like to eradicate from memory.

"?Rod Lott

  • or