Boogie Nights (1997)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Kase V

  
  Paul Thomas Anderson's 'Boogie Nights' is an impressive study on the rise and fall of a fictitious star. Aside from handling the camera well and assembling a perfect cast, the film is extremely well written all the way through its three-hour run time. This is where… More
  Paul Thomas Anderson's 'Boogie Nights' is an impressive study on the rise and fall of a fictitious star. Aside from handling the camera well and assembling a perfect cast, the film is extremely well written all the way through its three-hour run time. This is where Anderson solidifies himself as a filmmaker to watch for.

• Graham J

  
  Paul Thomas Anderson busted onto the scene with this Altman-esque ensemble piece about the porn business of the 1970's.

• Melvin W

  
  Jack Horner: I got a feeling that behind those jeans is something wonderful just waiting to get out.  "Everyone has one special thing" Paul Thomas Anderson's second film, Boogie Nights, is what put him on the map . It's appeal is hard to describe. It's story… More
  Jack Horner: I got a feeling that behind those jeans is something wonderful just waiting to get out.  "Everyone has one special thing" Paul Thomas Anderson's second film, Boogie Nights, is what put him on the map . It's appeal is hard to describe. It's story is about a teenager who meets a porn director and soon finds himself wrapped up in the porn business. Sounds cheap and trashy, but in reality it isn't. It's a fantastic movie that shows of the talent of Anderson more than any movie he has ever done. This may not be my favorite movie Anderson has done, but it definitely is my most appreciated.  The cast here is no less than amazing. The names are endless and they all give special performances. Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds and Julianne Moore give the best performances I have ever seen from them. Then there is a supporting cast that includes Philip Baker Hall, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, William H. Macy, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Heather Graham and Luis Guzman. Casts just don't come much better or bigger than that. They all work so well with a tough topic and are all very believable in a film that could have easily came off as overly silly. The story will obviously turn a lot of people off and has caused a lot of people to not even give it a chance. It's a lot deeper and more emotional than the topic of pornography would lead us to believe. It's one of those movies that isn't really about what the characters are doing, but more about what they are feeling. Boogie Nights is a movie of epic proportions.

• AJ V

  
  It's hard to decide whether or not I liked this movie. It's realistic and harsh sometimes and then funny and raunchy other times. The cast is good, though, and maybe the subject matter calls for those extremes, but overall it's just okay.

• moon r

  
  Not merely a look at he world of 70's porno, California style, but a cautionary commentary on life in the fast lane. Great performances bring the message home.

• Liam G

  
  Boogie Nights is an exhilarating piece of filmmaking from Paul Thomas Anderson that delves deep into themes such as sex and greed. It's a commentary on how twisted and delusional stars in Hollywood are nowadays and the group of lost souls the film follows who try to make it big… More
  Boogie Nights is an exhilarating piece of filmmaking from Paul Thomas Anderson that delves deep into themes such as sex and greed. It's a commentary on how twisted and delusional stars in Hollywood are nowadays and the group of lost souls the film follows who try to make it big in the porn industry show this. Not only does ''Boogie Nights'' feature one of the best ensemble casts in a film, boasting excellent performances from everyone including Burt Reynolds and Mark Wahlberg, but shows just how terrific of a director Paul Thomas Anderson is. The techiniques he uses with the camera in certain scenes, for example the opening set in a club, are quite astonishing. The script is terrific and the film never loses any of the energy it has right from the beginning. You never feel unengaged from ''Boogie Nights'' for all of its 155 minute length.

• Jennifer X

  
  All of PTA's works feel like epics, and for once I think the style works in favor for him. It's unexpected (since he's tackling the substantial porn industry), but it makes sense.

• Christopher A

  
  Who knew a film set in the 1970s about the porn industry would be so epic. Dark and funny at the same time, Boogie Nights is deeply interesting to watch and really connected as it portrays the struggle we have with those moments in life that we'd choose to forget. Mark Wahlberg… More
  Who knew a film set in the 1970s about the porn industry would be so epic. Dark and funny at the same time, Boogie Nights is deeply interesting to watch and really connected as it portrays the struggle we have with those moments in life that we'd choose to forget. Mark Wahlberg is exceptional as Dirk Diggler, a young man who's huge asset give him a lift up into the porn industry. A joy to watch and probably my favourite performance as we watch the transformation from a young kid to a porn superstar. Although Wahlberg is the standout, this film works because of a group effort from the entire cast as we are shown the industry from each glamourous and shameful angle. Ive recently read that following Boogie Nights, Wahlberg has a problem with men peaking over the urinals to confirm or deny if the end scene was true to the man. For the sake of my pride, I know what I'm choosing to believe. Dont be put off by its content, you may be surprised. A classic. "Hey. I know how it is. I've been there. We've all done bad things. We've all had those guilty feelings in our heart. I'm going to take your brain out of your head and wash it and scrub it and make it clean. I don't know. But I'm going to have to settle this. "

• paul o

  
  Paul Anderson creates one of the best films of the 90's with his dramedy about porn stars and the change in the industry. Through young teenager, Dirk Diggler(Mark Wahlberg), he enters a world that he has imagined his whole life, wanting to express his "talent" to the… More
  Paul Anderson creates one of the best films of the 90's with his dramedy about porn stars and the change in the industry. Through young teenager, Dirk Diggler(Mark Wahlberg), he enters a world that he has imagined his whole life, wanting to express his "talent" to the world. From a great cast ranging from Julianne Moore to Don Cheadle, Boogie Nights is well worth watching.

• Conner R

  
  A great 70's period film that has always been able to separate itself from normal storytelling for film. The idea to make a semi-biopic of John Holmes is just too priceless, but when it's Mark Wahlberg giving this really earnest performance it's even better. The acting… More
  A great 70's period film that has always been able to separate itself from normal storytelling for film. The idea to make a semi-biopic of John Holmes is just too priceless, but when it's Mark Wahlberg giving this really earnest performance it's even better. The acting is above and beyond what anyone might expect. The idea that it is a comedy, but also a great dramatic piece is what makes it unique. The story has such a great atmosphere and powerful message that you can't help but love the characters. Paul Thomas Anderson delivers an epic that won't soon be forgotten.

• Jeff "

  
  Boogie Nights is a spectacular drama film about the rise of fictional porn actor Dirk Diggler during the golden age of porn in the 1970's. Paul Thomas Anderson has crafted a unique drama film with style. There is a tremendous ensemble of gifted actors here, and even the now… More
  Boogie Nights is a spectacular drama film about the rise of fictional porn actor Dirk Diggler during the golden age of porn in the 1970's. Paul Thomas Anderson has crafted a unique drama film with style. There is a tremendous ensemble of gifted actors here, and even the now washed out actors ( John C Reilly, Burt Reynolds) shine here. Boogie Nights definitely captures the feel of the 1970's porn boom. Anderson has tremendous talent, and his directing abilities help to create something truly unique on screen. Anderson knows how to use this impressive cast of actors and all of them deliver great performances. Boogie Nights overall is a one of a kind drama film, and one of the best drama films of the 90's. Paul Thomas Anderson's second feature film is an impressive work and it's a more polished film than Anderson's first film. Boogie Nights is Anderson's best film, and he would later direct the equally impressive There Will Be Blood. However this film stands alone as an in your face type of movie because it touches on a sensitive non Hollywood friendly issue: Porn. Anderson's film is terrific and it rips across the screen and considering it's subject matter, it's able to be a smart, well written film without being too incorrect for a mainstream audience. Boogie Night is a film that tells the story of the porn industry, the good times and the bad, and as a major Hollywood production, it's very interesting to see a film like this bring to light a subject that usually isn't your typical idea for a film. This is Paul Thomas Anderson's best film, and Boogie Nights cemented his name as a top notch director. A very enjoyable, yet at times disturbing ride.

• Cynthia S

  
  Funny, entertaining movie.

• ♥Robyn

  
  Boogie Nights tells the story of the 70's pornstar Dirk Diggler, porn is the industry in which his talents truely lie and with this, Dirk becomes the biggest star in the business. Such a good thing can't last forever and soon he finds that the lives of him and his colleagues… More
  Boogie Nights tells the story of the 70's pornstar Dirk Diggler, porn is the industry in which his talents truely lie and with this, Dirk becomes the biggest star in the business. Such a good thing can't last forever and soon he finds that the lives of him and his colleagues begin to plummet into turmoil with the dawn of the 80's. a good cast (altho have to admit im not a huge fan of burt reynolds)...

• Fernando Rafael Q

  
  Unflinching portrait of the 70's and 80's porn industry. Hardcore (no pun intended), violent and depressing, with a bit of humor thrown into the mix. Strong ensemble cast portrays converging lives filled with sex and drugs, not so much rock and roll.

• Emile T

  
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• Steven C

  
  You don't watch P.T. Anderson's "Boogie Nights" for the plot, because, quite honestly, there isn't much of one to speak of. Instead, watch the film for the colorful and mesmerizing cinematography, vivid performances, the attention to 70's period detail… More
  You don't watch P.T. Anderson's "Boogie Nights" for the plot, because, quite honestly, there isn't much of one to speak of. Instead, watch the film for the colorful and mesmerizing cinematography, vivid performances, the attention to 70's period detail and dialogue that will make anyone's ears dance. This is a tremendously entertaining picture that never fails to vicariously enthrall.

• Mark W

  
  Director Paul Thomas Anderson exploded onto the film scene in 1997 and raised a few eyebrows with this daring and mainstream film about the californian porn industry. Mark Wahlberg plays Eddie Adams a young kitchen porter working in a vibrant nightclub, trying to escape his mundane… More
  Director Paul Thomas Anderson exploded onto the film scene in 1997 and raised a few eyebrows with this daring and mainstream film about the californian porn industry. Mark Wahlberg plays Eddie Adams a young kitchen porter working in a vibrant nightclub, trying to escape his mundane life at home with his parents and make a better life for himself. It's here he meets Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds), a succesful and well known director in the porn industry. Horner immediately sees the potential in Eddie, who he takes under his wing, as Eddie has a "gift" (which isn't fully revealed until the end) and could make them all very rich indeed. The appeal and glamour of Horner and his cohorts, the sexy Amber Waves (Julianne Moore) and Rollergirl (Heather Graham) are too much for Eddie to resist. He agrees to become involved but needs a porn name. It's then that he is known as "Dirk Diggler" and the seedy, glamourous, exhilarating, adventure begins. The film is set during the 70's & 80's and captures the period brilliantly with an outstanding cast throughout. I'm not a massive fan of Wahlberg but he is absolutely perfect in the role of the naive Eddie growing more confident as Dirk. John C. Reilly adds a nice comic role as his bumbling, endearing friend Reed Rothchild. The aforementioned Julianne Moore and Heather Graham excel in their roles as the female leads. William H. Macy as Little Bill is at his tragic best, knowing that his wife is having sex with every other man, except him. Philip Seymour Hoffman, no matter how small a role always manages to add depth and pathos in a masculine environment as Scotty J, the gay cameraman who cant resist his urges towards Dirk and Burt Reynolds has never been better as the patriarchal Horner. In fact, there are so many marvellous performances it's difficult too mention them all here. With all these acting talents at his disposal, the young Paul Thomas Anderson could easily have crumbled under the pressure but instead, pulls off (excuse the pun) an intricate and expertly structured film in the style of Martin Scorsese or Robert Altman.

• Thomas B

  
  Hilarious yet so very wrong. Full review later.

• Lewis C

  
  Paul Thomas Anderson has only made a moderate amount of movies, but each one of them that I've seen has had a common effect on me. I couldn't wait to watch them again, after they were over. My first impression of Boogie Nights was that it started off fairly slowly. For the… More
  Paul Thomas Anderson has only made a moderate amount of movies, but each one of them that I've seen has had a common effect on me. I couldn't wait to watch them again, after they were over. My first impression of Boogie Nights was that it started off fairly slowly. For the first hour or so of the movie, I was under the impression that it was going to be the first PTA film that I didn't absolutely love. And then, a few absolutely fantastic scenes turned my opinion right around. I was so impressed, that I immediately watched the entire 155 minute film again. There are very few movies that I've had that reaction to, but in this case it was both pleasurable and enlightening. I still think that the second half of Boogie Nights is the stronger part, but the first half is also very good. This is a great example of a fantastic writer being paired with a dream cast. The main characters are all expertly written and acted, and that's to be expected. Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, and Thomas Jane all gave the best performances of their careers here, in my opinion. But even the minor characters get powerful moments that stick in your mind after the movie is over. Actors like Don Cheadle, Alfred Molina, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and William H. Macy didn't have nearly the screen time of Mark Wahlberg or Burt Reynolds, but they were just as instrumental in making Boogie Nights as good as it is. Nearly every character is given an opportunity to make an emotional connection with the viewer, and that's astounding. As far as I'm concerned, this movie was overflowing with iconic performances, and there are two or three scenes that are easily some of the best I've ever seen in ANYTHING. Anderson is undeniably gifted at both writing, directing, and choosing the right music to enhance his work. I don't know if I like Boogie Nights quite as much as There Will Be Blood or Punch Drunk Love, but it really says something when a movie that's longer than average, never drags for a moment and leaves me wanting more. It benefits greatly from multiple viewings, and I'm sure my fondness of the movie will only grow.

• Tim S

  
  Great early PTA.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings