Review of Boogie Nights (1997) by Røgers C — 17 Aug 2011

At first I was skeptical, I thought this was going to be a 92% tomatometer movie because of it's kitschy 70's fashions, ironic porn star mustaches and outdated cultural references and wrongfully feel to the assumption that I was going to hate it. But I was wrong, towards the middle of the movie everything quickly turns into a frightening, Requiem for a Dream style nightmare which was enough to salvage the movie and grip my attention. On scene in which a drug deal is happening had me on the tip of my seat like I had been during the Russian roulette scene in Deer Hunter. But just as that uneasy parts starts to settle in the movie does an awkward flip back into happy go lively times and quickly ends with the main characters re-entering the porn industry. As if they have learned absolutely nothing from the horrible events that had taken over their lives. As by doing such once again brought down my opinion on the movie.

I don't hate the movie and I can understand the happy ending at the end of the but to be honest if this movie were to be more realistic and fair it would need to portray the grime, drugs, crime and hopelessness involved in that kind of life style and not honestly end with everyone re-entering a career that had ruined their lives and brought them so much pain as if nothing had happen. Something it occasionally touched on but never explored in depth. The movie also never touches things like A.I.D.S, STDs and unwanted pregnancy's which blows my mind for a movie centered around sex .

All in all Boogie Nights is very fun and entertaining movie but in my honesty opinion becomes a bit confusing when it bounces around between funny and serious and at times straight up all over the place. Something Fargo balanced very well and this movie had trouble with. If you're looking for a film to watch just for fun or because you like the 70's and 80's, retro vibe this might be your movie but if you are looking for a bit more seriousness you might find yourself bored at times. I feel a 3 out of 5 fits Boogie Nights quite well.