Wadd

11:45 p.m. Saturday, June 24, 2000

Caravan of Dreams

In the history of adult cinema no name is better known than that of John C. Holmes. This unusual documentary explores the many facets of the life and world of this pop culture icon. From his childhood in rural Ohio to his death from AIDS, Wadd unravels the myths surrounding Holmes and lays bare the darker side of his persona.

The film is told though the recollections of those people Holmes left permanent marks on: His first wife of 19 years, who married him when he was still under age, and that no one in the world of porn knew existed; his 15-year-old mistress, whom he pimped for drugs and money; the police detectives who investigated the murder in which Holmes was the primary suspect; and a multitude of fellow adult actors and actresses as well as friends and filmmakers.

The reinvention of self, the rags to riches and ultimate self-destruction that is so cliche in most Hollywood success stories is typified in Wadd, but when sex, drugs, a sociopathic mind and a 13-inch penis are thrown in, the story is far from cliche. Though Holmes' brief experimentation with gay porn is only touched on briefly, anyone with an interest in the adult entertainment business or who is a fan of Boogie Nights, which was loosely based on John's life, should see this to believe it. Not rated ­ R to NC-17 equivalent. No one under 17 will be admitted. (120 min.)