Portnoy's Complaint

Portnoy's Complaint is a 1972 American comedy-drama film that combines elements of humor, sexuality, and the exploration of human complexity, based on the best-selling novel of Philip Roth. Directed by Ernest Lehman, the film showcases a strong lineup of actors such as Richard Benjamin, Karen Black, and Lee Grant, making it a stellar act of ebullience and tumultuous joy and grief.

The film revolves around the lead character Alexander Portnoy, a neurotic, over-ambitious, and sexually obsessed Jewish bachelor played by Richard Benjamin. A New Yorker in his thirties, Portnoy serves as an assistant commissioner to the mayor. His high-ranking job attests to his incredible competence but also plunges him into a never-ending cycle of dilemmas and moral confusion as he wrestles with ethical decisions. Imaginative yet obsessed, his frequent sexual fantasies stem from a base of guilt and repression that the film spins into a syntax of comedy, self-questioning, and poignant revelation.

The narrative toggles between the trials and tribulations of Portnoy's childhood and adult life. This nonlinear narrative style offers an intricate, layered excavation of his guilt, obsession, and the impact his upbringing has on him. It cogently views his eccentric thoughts and actions through psychological glasses. He's locked in a constant flirtation with his boundaries, which are primarily painted by his conservative Jewish roots.

Portnoy's parents, masterfully portrayed by Lee Grant and Jack Somack, play essential parts in shaping his life. A typical Jewish household in Newark, New Jersey, is where we find an overbearing mother and a distant, affable father. Their influences shape Portnoy, offering a classic case of familial influences in human behavior. His mother's neurotic concern about his well-being and his father's effective absence paint a picture of a tense, overwrought net of relationships that serve as both a source of comfort and a cause of his neurosis.

Karen Black shines brightly in her role as the down-to-earth Midwestern model Mary Jane Reid. Known as "The Monkey" in Portnoy's world, she becomes a significant figure in his life as he deals with his feelings towards her, navigating through lust, love, and an insatiable appetite for rebellion against his own self-constructed norms and values. Their intricate relationship is beautifully hinted at throughout the movie.

The film brings an astonishingly modern take on sexual freedom and repression. The comedic facades of the film paint over a serious narrative about the sexual obsession stemming from repression, guilt, and fear. It adumbrates a blurred line between desire and delinquency, self-expression and self-destruction. It also subtly toys with the idea of sexual liberation as a form of rebellion, making the film a pioneer of sorts for its time.

One of the standout aspects of Portnoy's Complaint is how it fearlessly explores Jewish identity and culture. Portnoy is the quintessential 'good Jewish boy,' but beneath this veneer, he grapples with his culture, expectations, and societal overlays associated with his identity. His guilt stems from his inability to reconcile his inherited duties and his incessant, obsessive desire for self-determination, which adds a layer of complexity to the film.

The duality of Portnoy's life –- the split between the good, high-achieving city official and the sexually obsessed man-child – epitomizes the struggle between our outer personas and our deepest, most intimate desires. This duality is heightened by Richard Benjamin's excellent performance that brings authenticity and depth to Portnoy's character.

Ernest Lehman's directing combined with Gordon Willis's remarkable cinematography captures the zeitgeist of late 60s and early 70s America, presenting a granular and visually appealing look at Portnoy's life and the world he inhabits. The vibrant hues of the city are juxtaposed with the grimmer tones of Portnoy's personal tumult, making a visual treat.

The film is not just a hilariously candid account of a man's sexual obsession; it is also a thought-provoking piece about identity, familial influences, societal norms, and self-expression. Portnoy's Complaint reflects on the human desire to break free of shackles, to express, to err, and to embrace the beautiful chaos of life and all it encompasses. The characters, the narrative, and the nuanced performances by the cast make Portnoy's Complaint a memorable film worth watching.