User Reviews

The Canal Street Madam had its World Premiere at SXSW in Austin, TX. This is documentary provides a great opportunity to learn the truth behind all of mythology that has been built up around Jeanette Maier specifically and the world's oldest profession generally. It presents an honest sympathetic portrait of the often untold human side of prostitution. The film also exposes us to honest, folksy, highly entertaining personality of Maier herself beyond the simplistic media picture that has been painted of her (and in the made-for-TV movie of her life). She presents a powerful case that it would be better for other states to follow Nevada lead and decriminalize prostitution. The documentary is very well-done and supported with family movies and FBI wiretap audio. While some of the speculation that the famous DC Madam Deborah Palfrey didn't commit suicide and was actually murdered seems to be both conspiratorial and unnecessary, the film is mostly quite down-to-earth and fair-minded. This is wonderful film for exposing people to the complex realities behind prostitution that is often either glamorized or demonized.