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Boogie Nights

Originally Boogie Nights was devised as a short mockumentary type of film shot years before Paul Thomas Anderson was in the spotlight. It was a rendition based on deceased porn star John Holmes. Anderson expanded on his short to make a large ensemble cast on how the porn industry rose and fell in the 70’s entering the 80’s. There were drugs, disco and sex that people couldn’t get enough of.

Boogie Nights follows the path of Dirk Diggler (Mark Wahlberg) who to people in the industry would refer to it as, he has a gift down there. Through the course of the film we follow young Dirk’s adventures through the porn industry as his career faces ultimate highs and certain lows that are rock bottom. The large cast includes Burt Reynolds as Jack Horner the filmmaker, Julianne Moore as Horner’s wife and nurturing mother to all, John C. Reilly as a fellow male porn star, and many more.

To be honest, Dirk Diggler’s sky rocket to stardom and fall to the depths of hardship is similar to the rollercoaster ride one would see on VH1’s Behind the Music. It follows the typical path of hitting it big, then getting a God complex, getting kicked off the throne and sinking into unemployment where cocaine is there to comfort you. It works though because the characters along the way make it hilarious as scripted by Anderson's dialogue, which earned him an Oscar nod.

I have to praise Anderson’s camerawork, which is the case in all his films. His steadicam tracking shots through so much commotion and activity are just spectacular. The thought and planning that went into all of his shots is staggering because they last for minutes at a time going from room to room, outside to inside, and even jumping through a pool under water.

The film is set in the late 70’s and extends into the early 80’s and really is a tribute to the style and culture of the era, incorporating social attitudes. With such a large cast, the story moves with everyone as they all face the happy times together and even their lowest lows at the same time. The tension and drama of these segments really grab hold of you and takes an appropriate break from the timeless comedy that is perpetuated throughout the course of the film.

Anderson is an original filmmaker whose creativity and innovation transcends most. It’s very evident of his tactics from his latest movie There Will Be Blood stemmed from Boogie Nights. Although porn may be a touchy subject, it’s explored and done in a tasteful manner which opens the doors to how it was at this time.

Written by: John Berkowitz

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