Controversial Tucker Max ?lm opens today

As a Duke law student, infamous partier and self-proclaimed jerk, Tucker Max spent most of his time in Chapel Hill.

He went out on Franklin Street five nights a week, drawing affection from dozens of women.

“We went to bars, and I eventually got in with a sorority,” Max said. “And you know how sororities are — if you hook up with one, all the rest get jealous. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.”

Max gained fame for his New York Times bestselling book, which chronicles those outrageous sexual escapades, drunken nights and tangles with law enforcement.

Max and his memoir have already left their marks on North Carolina. Now he’s back.

The author, blogger and infamous bad boy’s comedy and stories return today in his new movie, “I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell.”

The movie debuts at select theaters, including some in Raleigh, Charlotte and Durham. If profitable, the film will later be shown nationwide.

Max said he hopes his fans will enjoy the translation of the stories into movie magic and that word-of-mouth promotion will draw more crowds.

“It was an extremely different process from writing the book, which was a very singular and individual process,” Max said. “A movie has its own rules and boundaries, and it took us a long time to figure out those rules.”

Some students have already had a chance to see Max’s film, which is based on the book.

Max kicked off a monthlong promotional tour for the movie on August 11. He and his crew traveled across the country to meet fans, to answer questions and to preview the movie to small audiences.

And, of course, to party.

One of the early premieres at N.C. State University in late August ignited protest and accusations that Max had created a “rape culture” with his book and movie.

“I liked it, but I’ve read the book multiple times, and didn’t like it quite as much,” said sophomore Alex Lopez, who saw the film at N.C. State.

“But I guess it’s like that with a lot of books. Like ‘Lord of the Rings’ — you read things and see them play out in your mind, and it’s always different than the movie.”

Sophomore Alexandra Perez also said she preferred reading Max’s book to seeing the film version.

“I know a lot of people who love the book are going to love the movie, but it was a little ‘American Pie’-esque,” she said.

Perez took the opportunity to meet Max, take pictures with him and ask a question during the Q-and-A session before the premiere.

“I asked him if a girl had ever asked him what her rating was on ‘The Tucker Max Female Rating System,’” she said. “He said he’s only honest if he wants to sleep with her.”

Though the protests at the N.C. State premiere made national news, Max said he still enjoyed the chance to interact with his fans.

“The university administration and film society were very happy to have us there,” Max said. “The protesters and weirdo kooks weren’t.”

In spite of all the controversy surrounding his film, Max said he believes that the success of his book and the dedication of his fans will draw crowds to theaters today — both men and women.

“It is unassailably true that I have a lot of female fans,” Max said.


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