Nuts (2018 film)

Nuts is a 2018 documentary film directed by Penny Lane. The film explores the life and unconventional medical claims of John Romulus Brinkley, a Kansas doctor who became wealthy in the early 20th century by transplanting goat testicles into men to cure impotence.

The documentary uses a combination of archival footage, animation, and dramatic reenactments to tell Brinkley's story. It relies heavily on Brinkley's own autobiography as a narrative source, highlighting the unreliability of self-reported histories and blurring the lines between fact and fiction. The film examines Brinkley's rise to prominence, his innovative use of radio to promote his medical procedures, his battles with the medical establishment, and his eventual downfall.

Nuts investigates themes of medical quackery, the power of belief, the allure of celebrity, and the historical context of medicine in the early 20th century. It questions the validity of historical narratives and the responsibility of filmmakers in presenting potentially misleading information. The film also delves into the role of media in shaping public perception and the dangers of unchecked medical claims.