Review of Boogie Nights (1997) by Tyler C — 06 Dec 2010

Boogie Nights is an epic dramedy written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson,who is one of our generation's top five best directors. Anderson grew up in the 70s where pornagraphy was on the rise in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles,which slowly transcended into mindless sex and drugs once the 80s decade began. Now when you hear that the premise of this film deals with pornagraphy,you might back off from seeing it,but once you sit down and watch it,you'll realize that it is a whole lot deeper and intriguing than you might think it is.

Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg)is a naive busboy who works for a local nightclub in 1970s Los Angeles. During one night on the job,he's approached by porn filmmaker Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds),and offers him the oppurtunity be an actor in his "porn film family." He assumes the name "Dirk Diggler," and becomes an instant hit in the porn film industry,mostly due him having a large penis,good looks,and youthful charisma. However the success begins to hit his head,and he develops a major ego and addiction to coke and meth. Once the 80s begin,each member of the "family" tries to make a name for theirselves and broaden their life's dreams. Some of them have tragic consequences,while the others contend with the world changing around them. In addition,once the 80s begin in the film,the movie switches from character to character to develop their subplots up until the end of the film.

This film has one of the best ensemble casts I have probably ever seen. I already mentioned Mark Wahlberg and Burt Reynolds,but there's also Julianne Moore,John C. Reilly,Philip Seymour Hoffman,Don Cheadle,William H. Macy,Thomas Jane,Phillip Baker Hall,Heather Graham,and Luis Guzman. Mark Wahlberg does a commendable job at playing Eddie Adams as he really nails all the necessary emotions of the naive character. Burt Reynolds is at his finest as Jack Horner,as he brings a lot of swift charisma and a lot of suavely comedy to his character. Julianne Moore also shines in the film as the emotionally unstable,drug addicted actress in "the family," who's battling to gain custody of her children from her divorced husband. Just because I single those three actors out,doesn't mean that everyone else from Reilly to Guzman delivered great performances,too.

However,besides the acting being one of the highest point of the film,Paul Thomas Anderson is the true mastermind for what makes this film so great. He perfectly recreates the clothes,the dance moves,and fads of the 70s and 80s decades,as it all feels very authentic and raw. Plus,he and cinematographer Robert Elswit create some unforgettable steadicam shots,especially the opening shot of the film and the New Year's Eve 1980 party. His screenplay is picture perfect as there is brilliant dialogue interplay between all of the characters and there is a startling amount of originality in the story structure as you can never predict what direction he is willing to take with his colorful characters. It amazes me,though,that he didn't win the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 1998,because I bet if I saw the rest of the nominees in that category,there is no way I would rank any of them higher than this film.

If you all remember,I'd always quote how I think There Will Be Blood will be Paul Thomas Anderson's American masterpiece. But since I have now seen this and Magnolia,he has made three masterpieces in my opinion. I may still be in awe right now,but I haven't seen an American epic film this bold and grand in scale than Boogie Nights. Boogie Nights is without a doubt,one of the best films I have seen in my life and it has definitely solidified Paul Thomas Anderson as one of my top 5 favorite directors. Highly reccommended,go see Boogie Nights if you haven't already,because this is a film that you surely must not miss out on.

Deadpool-O-Meter: 96-99%.