Boogie Nights (1997)

WOW, he's really 13 inches!

I was pleasantly surprised by this film after being persuaded by my Amazon buddy and friend, Clint Bronson to see this.

This 1997 film is loosely based on John Holmes the legendary porn film star of the 70s and 80s. Instead of John Holmes, the character is Dirk Diggler. A young bus boy, Eddie Adams, (Mark Walberg) is discovered by a porn film director, Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds) at a San Fernando Valley night club. It is well known that the busboy sports a 13 inch you-know-what. He then changes his name to Dirk Diggler and becomes the most famous porn star. But along with that comes life in the fast lane---drugs and rock-n-roll. Dirk spirals out of control and takes others with him.

This film also stars Julianne Moore as the porno "queen mother" ---another great performance!

I never once blinked my eyes, even though it was a bit long. The plot moves very fast and is full of action, a must see!!! I believe, one of Burt Reynolds' best films.

August 3, 2008

I never take my skates off.

Boogie Nights is a very entertaining film--the very impressive sophomore effort for director Paul Thomas Anderson. It's a great showcase for the acting talents of Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, Burt Reynolds, and the fabulous ensemble cast. Indeed, Burt and Julianne were both nominated for Oscars for BN, as was director Paul Thomas Anderson for the screenplay. Burt almost partially redeemed himself for portraying Congressman David Dilbeck in Striptease. BN is a cautionary tale about drug use and its effect on the individual as well as the culture, especially during the late 80's and early 90's. It is about the adult film industry as it went through a transition from film to video, and also a cautionary tale about the adverse effects of working in that industry on interpersonal relations. Finally, it seems to be a story of an alternative family, a group of misfits that cling together after hitting rock bottom, searching for a family-like connection when their own families may have failed them, or vice versa.

Here are just a few observations on Boogie Nights: Film maker Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds) is serious about film and resists compromising by shooting on video. Yet, from the clips shown from his films, they are out of focus and very amateurish. It is mocking his artistic pretensions at every turn. All the characters are mocked, especially the main character,

Dirk Diggler (Mark Wahlberg) who though he may be getting awards from the adult film industry is no Mickey Spillane when it comes to a private eye character he conceives for his films; and when he later tries to launch a career as a rock and roll singer it is clear that he has no musical talent whatsoever--yet he thinks he'll be signed to a major label deal any second now.

Reed Rothchild (John C. Reilly) is an even more pathetic wannabe, who recites one of the worst poems ever written (come to think of it, I wrote a similar poem--but I was 4 years old!!!!). He hitches his wagon to Dirk Diggler's star and follows that wagon right into the gutter.

Buck Swope (Don Cheadle) works at a hi fi store, but he clearly doesn't understand anything about the technical aspects of stereo systems. He is turned down for a small business loan when he wants to open his own store because of his adult film background, but one doubts that he could make a go of it even if he had gotten the loan. Miraculously, he does achieve his dream, but only due to a highly implausible deux et machina. Not only that, he affects a black cowboy look that is so wrong, though he looks even more ridiculous wearing a Rick James wig.

Amber Waves (Julianne Moore) wants custody of her son, but is clearly unfit. She is laughed at in court by the judge and jury when she tries to wrest custody from her ex husband, played by John Doe from LA punk band X. She does, however, make a great mother for her surrogate dysfunctional family of Dirk and Rollergirl.

Little Bill (William H. Macy) is certainly mocked, and his wife (Nina Hartley) doesn't even have a name. She is credited only as Little Bill's Wife, just like Lot's Wife. We don't know what she was named other than that she was turned into a pillar of salt. Little Bill and his wife's tragic deaths cause barely a ripple on the Boogie Nights stream.

Scotty J. (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) is certainly mocked for his unrequited crush on Dirk Diggler, not that he doesn't deserve the mocking. Last laugh: Phillip Seymour Hoffman gets the best actor Oscar for Capote. Take that, Mark Wahlberg.

I will say that Paul Thomas Anderson is certainly a director to watch out for. He seems to have come out of nowhere, but actually was born in 1970, so he is from the video generation, and is from San Fernando Valley. He went from grip to auteur overnight, and his access to films on video has given him an almost encyclopedic knowledge of film. He quotes from the masters, yet no copycat he, he is very original. He has made several other films that I have heard a lot about, and I am looking forward to watching them. In spite of his contempt for all of the characters in Boogie Nights, and his seeming disdain for the adult film industry, he does temper that contempt with empathy, and after making them suffer and hit rock bottom for their myriad inadequacies, he allows for all of the happy ending that his dysfunctional family unit will allow. And I was entertained. Bravo.

Dirk: Aren't you gonna take your skates off?
Rollergirl: I never take my skates off.

Films Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson

There Will Be Blood (2007) Daniel Day-Lewis won the Oscar for his tour de force performance as a driven oilman.
Punch-Drunk Love (Two Disc Special Edition) (Superbit Collection) (2002) The most radical thing about this was that Adam Sandler was cast in a dramatic role--and he could act! Who knew?
Magnolia (1999) A very complex film with numerous characters and intertwined stories. It garnered an Oscar nomination for Tom Cruise.
Coffee and Cigarettes (1993) Anderson got a refund from his film school tuition and made this instead.

Films of Mark Wahlberg

The Happening (2008) .... Elliot Moore
We Own the Night (2007) .... Capt. Joseph 'Joe' Grusinsky
Shooter (Widescreen Edition) (2007/I) .... Bob Lee Swagger
The Departed (Widescreen Edition) (2006) .... Dignam
Invincible (2006) .... Vince Papale
Four Brothers (2005) .... Bobby Mercer
I Heart Huckabees (2004) .... Tommy Corn
The Italian Job (2003) .... Charlie Croker
The Truth About Charlie (2002) .... Joshua Peters
Rock Star (2001) .... Chris 'Izzy' Cole
Planet of the Apes (2001) .... Captain Leo Davidson
The Perfect Storm (2000) .... Bobby Shatford
The Yards (2000) .... Leo Handler
Three Kings (1999) .... Troy Barlow
The Corruptor (1999) .... Danny Wallace
The Big Hit (1998) .... Melvin Smiley
Boogie Nights (1997) .... Eddie Adams - Dirk Diggler
Traveller (1997) .... Pat O'Hara
Fear (1996) .... David McCall
The Basketball Diaries (1995) .... Mickey

Dirk Diggler (Mark Wahlberg) quote from Boogie Nights:

Dirk: [in a documentary about him made by Amber Waves] What can you expect when you're on top? You know? It's like Napoleon. When he was the king, you know, people were just constantly trying to conquer him, you know, in the Roman Empire. So, it's history repeating itself all over again. July 21, 2008

I heart Paul Thomas Anderson

I have been quite a fan of Paul Thomas Anderson since this film originally came out. That being said, if you did not like his other films, this may not be to your liking either.

Unlike what most people may think about this film, it is not pornography. But it does examine characters in the context of the porn industry of the late 1970s, early 1980s. The characters are interesting and their stories allow you to see them as more than mere stars in Horner's productions.

A great soundtrack and the adorable Polly Anna-esque "Dirk Diggler" played by Mark Wahlberg make this movie entertaining and heart-wrenching. April 29, 2008

Special Flim

I love this flim its just so different with the soundtrack & camera work, super cast great plot and story. I saw it on the first run at the movies and bought it on DVD.

Looking forward to Watching "There will be Blood" hoping Anderson gets his groove back. April 18, 2008

A good introduction to P.T. Anderson

This serves as a good introduction to the works of P.T. Anderson. It contains all the elements that make it a true Anderson film without being overly art-house. The acting is all pretty good and it tells a compelling and interesting story. Grade A- March 21, 2008

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