User Reviews: Boogie Nights (1997)
Boogie Nights
Pros: Great acting and a plot
Cons: Not the HD DVD quality
During the history of the adult industry that porn films showed signs of artistic ambition. During the late '70s, a small cadre of adult directors believed that they could combine the raunch of sex with an involving plot. It was a lofty goal, and one that ultimately proved impossible to realize, especially with the advent of video forcing movies to be made cheaper and faster. In his new film, Boogie Nights, director Paul Thomas Anderson takes us back to the disco era, and, by following a small group of characters, recreates the rise and fall of "artistic porn" and those who participated in it.
But Boogie Nights isn't just an expose of the porn industry - it's a provocative and involving character study, as well. While it could be argued that Anderson has bitten off more than he can chew -- a few too many of the men and women populating his film are left half-developed - an overambitious approach is always preferable to the alternative, and Boogie Nights does enough things right that it's easy to overlook its few shortcomings.
One of the movie's greatest, and most immediately obvious, assets is its ability to capture the feel and mood of the late '70s and early '80s. At different times throughout the film, Anderson uses long, single takes where the camera pans from one character to another, putting the viewer in the midst of a swirl of activity. The director also has a talent for picking just the right songs for each scene, making the soundtrack an integral part of the movie rather than just a jumbled collection of old disco hits. Add to that the hairdos, clothing, decor, and attitudes of the era, and you have an effective re-creation of recent history. And, unlike The Ice Storm, which transpires in '70s suburbia, Boogie Nights is set in the sleazy heart of Los Angeles' drug-and-sex industry.
Anderson also does a wonderful job of delineating the differences between the late '70s and the early '80s. The first half of the film, which takes place between 1977 and late 1979, is lively and energetic, with the focus on parties and good times. Then, following a pivotal sequence at a 1979/80 New Year's Eve gathering, Boogie Nights' tone shifts to something more grim and contentious. The porn industry goes into a downward spiral with mass-market video supplanting carefully-made movies, and the actors and directors are sucked down with it. Drugs and death run rampant. No one dies during the movie's first half (although there is a drug overdose), but the final hour features a body count.
At Boogie Nights' center is Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg), a waiter at a San Fernando Valley night club who is "discovered" by idealistic porn movie producer/director Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds). Jack's dream is to make a movie that is "true, and right, and dramatic," and his vision excites Eddie, who changes his name to Dirk Diggler and quickly becomes the hottest young stud in the industry. Together, the director and his star seek to elevate the Adult Film to the next level (which actually resembles a cheap exploitation action flick).
Dirk isn't the only one under Jack's wing. His home has become the gathering place for all sorts of damaged souls working in the business. There's Amber Waves (Julianne Moore), a top female star who has lost custody of her son because of her involvement with Jack. Rollergirl (Heather Graham) is an airheaded young starlet who drops out of high school to be in the movies. Buck Swope (Don Cheadle) is one of Jack's veterans, but his dream is to have a wife, a family, and his own hi-fi equipment store. Reed Rothchild (John C. Reilly) is a hanger-on who becomes close friends with Dirk. And Little Bill (William H. Macy) is a behind-the-scenes worker who never feels comfortable with the kind of movies that he's involved in. His resolution to this dilemma leads to Boogie Nights' change of directionWas this review helpful? Yes - NoLivin' the 70's Dream
Pros: Excellent Story, Direction, Beautiful
Cons: Not for prudes, family members, easily offended
Much like "Fight Club" or "Memento", "Boogie Nights" is a much deeper film that one would be led to believe. Sure, it sounds like it's all porn and easy 70's livin', but there is much more to this touching story of an amazing man, his unusual gift, and the many lives it touched. Not in that way, but the metaphorical way. PT Anderson takes us on a captivating journey through the late 70's and early 80's, watching the rise and fall of our heroes, and the changes they make along the way.
Was this review helpful? Yes - NoGrade-A+
Fantastic scenes! Leaves you craving more.Makes you wonder why you didnt rent or buy this movie before.
Was this review helpful? Yes - Noi think that this movie is the best, i mean come on its brilliant.
mark wahlberg is just.....................
.........................
.........................
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..........gods gift to women.
marky i llove ya xxx
(ur brothers not bad either!!!) ;-)Was this review helpful? Yes - NoBrilliant !!!!
Simply brilliant!!!!!
The three dimensional characters
The music
The interwoven plots
Heather Graham & Jullianne Moore
One great film.Was this review helpful? Yes - NoA Flop!!-NOT!!!
Boogie Nights is a great movie with a super cast that perfomed excellent together. P T A is one of my favorite directors. How can you not like a movie set in the 77 through 83, when the porn industry was on the rise and then the fall. And "The Colonel", may he rest in peace, was my favorite.
Was this review helpful? Yes - NoPaul Thomas Anderson knows how to boogie
This film is not Paul Andersons debut. His debut was Hard Eight as far as I understand it, and for fans only of which I am most definately one. His speciality is characters, and spending time with them. Some would say too much time, but it is precisely the anti MTV style quick edits and cuts that makes his work so beautiful. In Boogie Nights there are several key scenes that take that extra step, that go that extra bit longer and take you to unexpected places. Excellent performances from almost everyone, and Burt Reynolds is amazing although he was too stupid to realise it afterwards. Absolutley unforgettable and without a doubt worth purchasing along with Magnolia which is far less entertaining but even more engrossing in terms of charcterisation and feeling. This guy is a genius in my opinion. Buy it or get your friend a penis extension.
Was this review helpful? Yes - NoTerrific New Idea
Anderson's debut with this hip story about a porn star's rise and fall from fame...occasionally there are some bad acting but overall the idea is fresh and interesting...it has never been done...a must see if you are fascinated by drugs, money, music and sex
Was this review helpful? Yes - Nolearn to understand film
The people that get caught up in the pornography and drugs represented in film probably shouldn't read any books by Hemingway, look at works of art from Monet, or listen to the music of Beethoven. All of these people were considered vulgar in their own times. If you can't understand what is being said by a storyteller, then maybe you should spend more time with your other hobbies. One of which, I bet, is picketing abortion clinics.
Was this review helpful? Yes - NoBoogie Nights
WOW! WOW! WOW! I love this film! It kicks serious buttocks! This is one of the best movies ever made, no question about it. It's definitely i my top 10! AMAZING!
Was this review helpful? Yes - NoPoignant, subtle and and Altman-like
I find one reviewer's take on Boogie Nights as a "flop" amusing, considering he or she was expecting something "feel-good" with dancing and music.
If you reduce Boogie Nights to pornography made for a masturbatory delectation, then you have obviously missed the film's point and should relegate yourself to feel-good pap such as Grease.
There is much you would miss if you looked no further than what viewers consider repulsive.
Dirk Diggler contradicts assumptions we have about male virility. In our phallocentric culture, a man who is well-endowed is considered a "he-man" but Dirk Diggler is emotionally frail, a self-proclaimed karate enthusiast who bluffs his way through violent confrontations and proves to be passive during an attack by gaybashers.
Finding surrogate parents in Burt Reynolds and Julianne Moore, the characters discover life is harrowing and fraught with danger when venturing outside the security of the surrogate family.
If you want feel-good dreck or if you're easily disturbed by characters with darker psyches who are sometimes amoral, turn on your T.V. and dissolve your intellect in the froth of FRIENDS. Dubbing Boogie Nights brainless only reflects the lack of thought in one's critical approach to the film.Was this review helpful? Yes - NoBrilliant Movie
That human quality is part of what makes this unique and excellent. It's hard to watch any single scene of the movie without laughing, Yet there's something sad and dark about it. Which makes it easily one of the best American movies in quite awhile.
Was this review helpful? Yes - NoThis is the worst movie i ever seen.iT HAS POOR DRAMA,POOR MESSAGE.The actors
act like rats.Was this review helpful? Yes - NoFlop
This movie was an absolute disgrace. I hired it expecting a funny feel good movie, with some good music and dancing. But instead I got a movie which had no point, was boring and offensive. I recomend this movie for perverted, sex crazy people who like to jerk off in front of the t.v. But anyone with a brain, don't bother wasting your time and money with it. If there was a zero rating I would have given that. Mark Whalberg can't act and Heather Graham is a slut.
Was this review helpful? Yes - NoPromising young filmmaker.
As opposed to the idea that this film is all about sex, drugs and violence (as is mentioned in another review where the reviewer has most likely not seen the film) Boogie Nights has surprisingly little sex in it despite it's subject matter. P.T. Anderson gives us a sincere portrayal of a sort of family that forms from the depths of this business, however perverse that may seem. He moves and places the camera like a master in only his second film, and turns such a story into an epic that examines more than just the porn industry, but rather the late seventies mentality of pleasure that was overshadowed and enveloped by the more corporate eighties sterilization of the industry. This idea is mirrored by all of the characters evolutions from drugs and extravagence in a promiscuous business to a sort of redemptive finale where they overcome those crutches and settle back into their station as "entertainers." Anderson writes honestly and the characters stay true to themselves and to the essence of the story, which is a focus on that human bond and the familial structure of comfort. In no way does this film abdicate violence as Tarantino would, in actuality the violent outburst is the defining moment of the end of decadence and the beginning of realization and redemption. With the eighties comes video, mass production, and the stark nature of the real world and a recognition of a delusional state, that was the seventies with it's drugs and sex. There is still sex in the eighties, but it just isn't sexy anymore.
Was this review helpful? Yes - NoOne of the Best Movies ever made
This movie is an american classic! I have it on DVD and I thought Mark Wahlberg and Burt Reynolds gave oscar worthy performences. Heather Graham and Julianne Moore gave amazing perfomences too. The view of the rise and fall of porn stars is very orignal and the director should be credited for making a great drama. Dirk Diggler is the best character I have ever seen in a film.
Was this review helpful? Yes - NoLots of sex , little story.
I was unable to see Boogie Nigths at a theather , I saw it on Tv. The movie was full of sex,drugs, and violence, this was the only good thing about the movie. The movies story made little sence, the only reason anyone saw it was for the sex and the reference to Digglers big dick. The movie is great if you plan to jack off the entire movie. It has everything from famous porn star Johnny Doe to a druged up Wahlburg jerking off for another guy.
Was this review helpful? Yes - No
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