Porky's Review

MPAA Rating: R
Released: 1982

Porky's was by far one of the most controversial comedies of the 80's, and even to this day this raunchy coming-of-age story tops the list of instantly recognizable 1980's comedy films, due largely to the infamous shower scene. But is all the brouhaha surrounding this film truly justified, or does the notoriety of the film actually create a false sense of expectations? Let's head to the Feature Attraction to find out…

Can you believe that I grew up during the golden age of raunchfests and somehow I managed to slip through the 80's without once ever watching the notorious Porky's? I decided recently to view it since it just wasn't appropriate for an 80's child to have not seen this movie, particularly since this site is dedicated to archiving the decade's cinematic goodness.

After finally watching the movie recently I was left with a feeling I didn't expect: ambivalence. Porky's has the reputation for being a hilarious, nudity-filled, raunchy sex comedy, but quite frankly I couldn't see what all the murmuring was about. Sure, there's some full-frontal nudity involved, but Porky's didn't strike me as being any more obnoxious or risky as modern raunch comedies such as American Pie or Something About Mary.

The movie takes place in the 50's and focuses on a group of horny high school friends that are desperate to score with a woman. After a couple failed attempts to achieve this task they concoct a plan to visit a redneck strip bar just outside of town and purchase an hour of loving with some of the strippers. Porky, the burly owner of the joint, sees that these gullible young outsiders can easily be taken, so he takes their hundred dollars and, with the assistance of his corrupt brother/sheriff, offers humiliation instead of women. Angry and dejected, the boys vow to take revenge on Porky and the lawless lawman that aided him.

Quite frankly, I found the main plot of the movie to be terribly executed. The idea had potential, but it just wasn't humorous in the least. Luckily the lion's share of the movie focuses on the boys' high school and daily lives rather than the failed storyline, and it is at those moments when the film is at its best.

One of the film's funnier moments was a diner scene where one of the boys called the diner from a nearby pay phone and requested that the waitress who answered the phone ask for Mike Hunt. As the naïve waitress loudly inquires whether anyone has seen Mike Hunt (say it quickly and you'll catch the joke), the rest of the goofballs sitting inside the diner are cracking up uncontrollably.

Upon hearing the name Porky's the first thing that immediately springs to mind for most people is the peephole in the women's high school shower room scene. A trio of male teens spies an assortment of bathing beauties via these peepholes, but are quickly discovered. Rather than take offense, the girls decide to tease and have some fun with the boys.

One of the brazen snoops decides to stick his member through the hole to get a rise out of the ladies, but unbeknownst to him the ladies slip out of the shower room when the burlesque women's coach enters. Naturally the coach is shocked by what she sees and grabs the intruding appendage like a tenacious pitbull.

Sounds pretty risqué, doesn't it? That's why Porky's has the reputation it does, but honestly while the scene provides plenty of gorgeous eye candy and some laughs, it's not all that vulgar or offensive.

It's actually the follow-up scene that takes the cake, though, as the coach attempts to convince the school principal to allow her to examine the boys' genitals in a line-up in an effort to identify the one she witnessed in the locker room. The principal attempts to keep his composure throughout the odd request, but some staffers in the background aren't quite so diplomatic and do their best to add to the silliness of the scene.

Unfortunately the humor just isn't consistent; some of the antics are borderline hysterical while others are flatter than a pancake. In addition Porky's has a haphazard feel to it, almost as if the movie were a series of small sketches rather than one cohesive group.

If the entire film focused on its strengths (raunchy sex comedy) rather than allowing secondary themes (such as a failed attempt at confronting racism) to dilute its potency, Porky's would have been truly deserving of the title "comedy classic." Instead, I found it to be a flawed film that's does successfully provide enough laughs to warrant a viewing. Just don't be too surprised if after finishing the film you begin to wonder what all the controversy was about.

Movie rating: 6 stars

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