Unlike all other American celebrities - people like film actors, pop musicians, politicians, television show hosts etc. - American radio talk show hosts could hardly expect their popularity to spread beyond American borders. Due to the limitations of radio as a medium and total lack of visual appeal that could mask the absence of any content, American radio celebrities, despite their fame and influence of American politics, are virtually unknown on this side of Big Pond. The only way for them to extend their fame to other parts of the world is by crossing over into other media. (In)famous radio talk show host Howard Stern did that by appearing in his own 1997 biopic Private Parts, directed by Betty Thomas.
The screenplay by Len Blum and Michael Kalesniko, based on Howard Stern's autobiographical book, details Stern's early life and rise to fame and fortune from his humble origins as a disk jockey at college radio station. At college Stern (who plays himself in the film) meets Allison (played by Mary MacCormack), the only woman who would date him and who would later become his wife. Allison quickly learns that being Howard Stern's wife is never an easy task - her husband goes from job to job and gradually builds reputation with his twisted sense of humour, often beyond any boundaries of taste. The biggest fight of Howard Stern's life occurs when he gets hired by New York's WNBC station, with corporate leaders obviously unaware of his antics. When they learn of Howard Stern's brand of humour they dispatch an executive nicknamed "Pig Vomit" (played by Paul Giamatti) with the task of putting flamboyant radio talk show host in order.
Since I never heard Howard Stern on air, I could only speculate whether his outrageousness was even remotely recreated within the limits of 1990s Hollywood censorship. I can only suspect that the version of Howard Stern depicted in Private Parts is the milder than in real life. Nevertheless it retains necessary dose of authenticity with Howard Stern and couple of his radio associates playing themselves. Despite occasional hint of criticism towards hypocrisy of American media establishment, Private Parts wisely avoids the trap of turning Stern into some kind of First Amendment crusader and treats his battles with censors as an opportunity for many humorous episodes. Director Betty Thomas shows great skill in putting those episodes at right places in the film and thus keeping the generally light-hearted tone of the film. Private Parts also manages to make a convincing case for Howard Stern as a man who despite all of his antics and infamy, remained loyal husband and perfect family man. This aspect of film is hard to accept today, when we know that Stern divorced his wife, but even with such knowledge, the audience's pleasure of watching Private Parts - whether guilty or not - is not going to be spoiled.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on September 8th 2003)
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