Review of Boogie Nights (1997) by Maxwell S — 25 Jun 2012

Yes. It is about porn. And to be honest, when I think about this film, after having seen it so long ago, I don't think about the porn, even though it all revolves around it. The way I see it is kind of like of the godfather, there is a story going on continuously, in the godfather that being the rise and fall of the Corleone family, but in Boogie Nights that being the rise and fall of Dirk Diggler.

Now the theme of the godfather is the mob, but Boogie Nights, it's porn. But, people don't complain that The Godfather is about the mob, but people complain that Boogie Nights is about porn (and those people are the only ones who don't like it).

Now, when I think of the Godfather I think of the horse head, or the orange peel, or the gun in the bathroom scene. And when I think of Boogie Nights I think of the rich guy with the shotgun, or the monumental opening shot (maybe the greatest shot ever), or the new years party.

They both have scenes that you can remember when you think of this film. If you have seen both, you understand how both are similar in those ways. By the way, this is my 2nd favorite film ever, which is why I praise it so deeply.

(My favorite is Magnolia).