Review of Boogie Nights (1997) by Allen G — 28 Mar 2016

A hugely-ambitious work that brings together a brilliant cast (okay, so Wahlberg may not always be brilliant but he really is here!) and beautifully intricate and convincing characters who all exist in the same vacuum of boobies and 70's 'staches.

Certainly the closest that Paul Thomas Anderson ever came to really being similar to Tarantino and, whilst I'm glad that he went his own way, I must say that this one is right up there with the likes of Pulp Fiction when it comes to stories jam-packed with engaging characters and some action to boot.

There's a strong mix of comedy and drama, with neither ever being shoved in your face. Instead you are just kept constantly interested as you watch each character move through the motions, with Anderson kindly giving them all a shining moment in there somewhere.

Of course, the downside to this kind of approach is that so much goes on over the course of two and a half hours that you may find yourself wishing that a little more had hit the cutting-room floor.

Still, there aren't many serious films about the porn industry. There also aren't many films with Don Cheadle selling stereos whilst dressed as a cowboy (there's only this one, in fact). Most importantly though, there aren't many films that can string together so many unique and interesting characters, allow them to live within such an odd and niche world, and still leave you feeling like no-one was shortchanged- neither the characters, nor the viewer.