Boogie Nights

Name: Boogie Nights
Genre: Drama
Released: October 10, 1997
Duration: 155 min
Rating: 85
Cast: Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, Mark Wahlberg

1997

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 28 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 652 Ratings

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4.2

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4.2	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 652 Ratings

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Boogie Nights

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Movie Details & Credits

New Line Cinema | Release Date: October 10, 1997 | TV-MA

Starring: Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, Mark Wahlberg

Summary: A multifaceted look at the porn industry in Los Angeles in the 70's and 80's, focusing on the journey of a young man (Wahlberg) from restaurant dishwasher to porn star and beyond.

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: TV-MA

Runtime: 155 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Staff [Not Credited]

With its ceaseless music, large canvas, shrewd casting and flawless ensemble acting and the dexterity of its whiplashing mood switches, the movie recalls Robert Altman's "Nashville" more than any subsequent movie has. Read full review

100

Stanley Kauffmann

If Boogie Nights were poorly made and acted, its materials would make it intolerably tawdry. But its so well done that we keep watching. [Nov. 10, 1997]

100

Jami Bernard

Writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson has perfectly wedded form to function by filming Boogie Nights in a style suggesting the grainy texture of porn and the ambivalence of the era. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

A grand, sweeping nostalgia trip that evokes the sickness of an era even as it tries to find its essential humanity.

Richard Corliss

So here's a tip for those attending this handsomely acted, epic-length little film. Ease into the sleaze, stare at the party animals, look but don't touch, and, oh, boogie all night. [October 6, 1997]

Elvis Mitchell

The movie's special gift happens to be Mark Wahlberg, who gives a terrifically appealing performance in this tricky role. Read full review

Shawn Levy

It's possible to be dazzled by a movie and still not like it very much.

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User Reviews

geewah

Jan 22, 2021

In Paul Thomas Anderson's brilliant resume, this movie still comes out at number 1.
The screenplay is multi-faceted, funny, touching, disturbing and sad. The casting is spot on and tempo for a 2 1/2 hour movie never slows.
How Titanic won a best picture oscar and this wasn't even nominatedIn Paul Thomas Anderson's brilliant resume, this movie still comes out at number 1.
The screenplay is multi-faceted, funny, touching, disturbing and sad. The casting is spot on and tempo for a 2 1/2 hour movie never slows.
How Titanic won a best picture oscar and this wasn't even nominated for it is just laughable.… Expand

0 of 8 users found this helpful08

ReelViews94

Mar 23, 2016

There was a time during the long history of the adult entertainment industry that porn films showed signs of artistic ambition. During the late '70s, a small cadre of directors believed that they could combine the raunch of real sex with an involving plot. It was a lofty goal, and one thatThere was a time during the long history of the adult entertainment industry that porn films showed signs of artistic ambition. During the late '70s, a small cadre of directors believed that they could combine the raunch of real sex with an involving plot. It was a lofty goal, and one that ultimately proved impossible to realize, especially with the advent of video forcing movies to be made cheaper and faster. In his new film, Boogie Nights, writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson takes us back to the disco era, and, by following a small group of characters, recreates the rise and fall of "artistic porn" and those who participated in it.

But Boogie Nights isn't just an expose of the porn industry -- it's a provocative and involving character study, as well. While it could be argued that Anderson has bitten off more than he can chew -- a few too many of the men and women populating his film are left half-developed -- an overambitious approach is always preferable to the alternative, and Boogie Nights does enough things right that it's easy to overlook its few shortcomings.

One of the movie's greatest, and most immediately obvious, assets is its ability to capture the feel and mood of the late '70s and early '80s. At different times throughout the film, Anderson uses long, single takes where the camera pans from one character to another, putting the viewer in the midst of a swirl of activity. The director also has a talent for picking just the right songs for each scene, making the soundtrack an integral part of the movie rather than just a jumbled collection of old disco hits. Add to that the hairdos, clothing, decor, and attitudes of the era, and you have an effective re-creation of recent history. And, unlike The Ice Storm, which transpires in '70s suburbia, Boogie Nights is set in the sleazy heart of Los Angeles' drug-and-sex industry.

Anderson also does a wonderful job of delineating the differences between the late '70s and the early '80s. The first half of the film, which takes place between 1977 and late 1979, is lively and energetic, with the focus on parties and good times. Then, following a pivotal sequence at a 1979/80 New Year's Eve gathering, Boogie Nights' tone shifts to something more grim and contentious. The porn industry goes into a downward spiral with mass-market video supplanting carefully-made movies, and the actors and directors are sucked down with it. Drugs and death run rampant. No one dies during the movie's first half (although there is a drug overdose), but the final hour features a body count.

At Boogie Nights' center is Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg), a waiter at a San Fernando Valley night club who is "discovered" by idealistic porn movie producer/director Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds). Jack's dream is to make a movie that is "true, and right, and dramatic," and his vision excites Eddie, who changes his name to Dirk Diggler and quickly becomes the hottest young stud in the industry. Together, the director and his star seek to elevate the Adult Film to the next level (which actually resembles a cheap exploitation action flick).

Although Mark Wahlberg has the starring role, and gives the best performance of his career (although there are still times when he is stiff), he is easily overshadowed by two more impressive portrayals. Burt Reynolds, doing his best motion picture work in recent memory, develops Jack into a three-dimensional individual who really believes in his job until disillusionment hits. Matching Reynolds' performance step-by-step is Julianne Moore, who can add her role in Boogie Nights to an ever-increasing list of interesting and challenging characters. Meanwhile, Heather Graham, Don Cheadle, and William H. Macy are impressive in smaller parts (all of them deserve more screen time). And porn icon Nina Hartley gets some mainstream exposure, and even a few lines, as Little Bill's wife.

Boogie Nights is filled with so many subplots and secondary themes that it would be impossible to recount them all here. Some of the most obvious involve the allure of stardom and the price certain individuals are willing to pay to attain it, the difficulty of "rehabilitating" one's name after being associated with something as "damaging" as the porn industry, and the inner need to belong. All of the men and women populating Boogie Nights encounter at least one of these elements as they traverse their character arc.

With Boogie Nights, Anderson has realized the potential he showed in his previous feature, Hard 8 (which featured John C. Reilly and Philip Baker Hall, two members of this movie's ensemble cast). Boogie Nights is a dramatically rich and visually arresting motion picture that has earned (and is deserving of) comparisons to the films of Robert Altman. The result is a memorably penetrating motion picture.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

cameronmorewood

Nov 8, 2012

I was blown away by Paul Thomas Anderson's 'Boogie Nights.' Never have I seen a film so alive. The writing, directing, acting, editing, cinematography, and epic soundtrack are all key elements in the construction of this nearly flawless film.

6 of 47 users found this helpful641

viuuiuvy

Dec 2, 2015

There are some deep moments in this movie & lots of hidden secrets to the plot. The movie delivers & will entertain you. The plot line is really good & after watching this movie I found myself thinking about how everything plays out.

0 of 8 users found this helpful08

DonManias

Jan 29, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The negative user score on this movie is shocking and unexplicable, given not only the movie's financial success but also its iMDB rating. I cannot believe that anyone would rate this movie below average, unless they have a particular agenda. This is the kind of voting results that have rendered Metacritic an unreliable source of information.… Expand

0 of 8 users found this helpful08

KiaNush

May 10, 2021

جسورانه، سرگرم کننده و متفاوت از پل تامس اندرسن

1 of 7 users found this helpful16

StevenPrice

Mar 23, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'll apologize first off to anyone that loves this movie. However this movie has nothing to offer. Mark Wahlberg is an average actor at best. Some of the cast is alright mainly Julianne, Cheadle, Burt and a few cameos by Alfred Molina and Thomas Jane. Aside from all of those positive notes the movie is drab, overlong, full of many needless scenes, offensive profanity and some of the violence is also graphic. This movie could have been amazing but many changes to the actors, story and content needed to be applied before the movie was released in 1997. There isn't one reason anyone should see this movie.… Expand

43 of 47 users found this helpful434

SEE ALL 40 REVIEWS

5	#5 Best Movie of 1997
18	#18 Most Discussed Movie of 1997
7	#7 Most Shared Movie of 1997