The Fluffer (2001)

45% of critics liked it
(44 reviews)
29% of users liked it
(1,524 ratings)

The gay adult film industry is the backdrop for this drama focusing on Sean (Michael Cunio), a young gay man who is looking for a job in the movie business. While trying to rent a video of Citizen Kane, Sean accidentally brings home a video from Men of Janus Productions, an outfit that churns out… More The gay adult film industry is the backdrop for this drama focusing on Sean (Michael Cunio), a young gay man who is looking for a job in the movie business. While trying to rent a video of Citizen Kane, Sean accidentally brings home a video from Men of Janus Productions, an outfit that churns out hardcore porn movies with exclusively male casts, finding himself infatuated with Johnny Rebel (Scott Gurney), the film's hunky leading man. Sean lands a job with Men of Janus helping out the camera crew, but he soon finds himself serving a different function on the set -- he becomes the "fluffer," who helps the actors "warm up" for their sex scenes. Sean is more than happy to be working with Johnny, but he soon makes the surprising discovery that Johnny is straight and only appears in gay porn because he can make more money than in heterosexual sex films. What's more, Sean learns Johnny has a girlfriend, Babylon (Roxanne Day), who works as an exotic dancer and is not enthusiastic about her lover's current career. The Fluffer was written and co-directed by Wash West, who previously shot and directed several hardcore gay films himself. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Adina Porter, Chad Donovan
Written By: Wash West
Genres: Drama, Gay & Lesbian, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 1, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Aug 20, 2002
Studio: First Run Features

Critic Reviews

Susan Walker, Toronto Star
Those in search of a film about gay men disillusioned in Hollywood with a better script and more dramatic heft should rent Gods And Monsters or Thom Fitzgerald's Beefcake.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
More tasteful, sensitive and original than you might imagine.
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
Glatzer and Wash try to explore the nature of obsession and the ambiguity of sexual categories in The Fluffer, but it's hard to give two hoots about any of these characters.
Jane Sumner, Dallas Morning News
A witty, sad, informed view of obsession, submission and the sex industry.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Ultimately emerges as a coming-of-age odyssey of notable substance and honesty.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Several notches above the usual gay-themed indie.
Bob Westal, Film Threat
Funny and sensitive for all its faults, The Fluffer is nevertheless unlikely to break out of the gay cinema ghetto.
Ernest Hardy, L.A. Weekly
Saturated with deep, rich color and low-key visual wit, and graced with sympathetic performances.
Brent Simon, Entertainment Today
Bills itself 'both a satiric look at the porn industry and a dark tale of obsession' -- proof that self-description is often self-delusion.
Jason Clark, Matinee Magazine
The film never follows its own logic, but also never goes down the path you think it will
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
...too much of the lives of the stars of "The Fluffer" and not enough of the examination of the porn business.
Laura Clifford, Reeling Reviews
"The Fluffer" starts with a bang, but can't quite sustain the expectations it raises.