Boogie Nights is one of those few movies that can take a difficult subject and do something with it that most people can watch and appreciate. The porn-industry is a mess in more ways than one and there is much to criticize, and i know this movie has been considered to glorify the business. Something i don't agree with.
The story about Dirk Diggler and his exploding porn-career in the late 1970's - early 1980's bears considerable similarity with that of John Holmes and the fact that Holmes has been an inspiration is obvious. The thing i most appreciated about this movie is the way that it shows both sides of the business. At first the upside where the young kid is introduced to a world of sex, drugs and rich friendly people. Then later the backside with crime, abuse and crashed lives. And it's all done with an excellent mix of comedy and drama as well as a distinct feeling when it comes to style. Visual as well as otherwise.
Despite being a movie about the porno business, Boogie Nights is not very explicit. A correct choice in my opinion since more explicit scenes wouldn't have added to the movie, rather it would instead have run the risk of feeling like exploitation. Paul Thomas Anderson is a talented director and he manages to balance many talented actors in a good way while still letting it be his more than their film. Also i don't know what he did with Mark Wahlberg, but suddenly he could act! I don't like Wahlberg at all otherwise but here even he performed well.
Boogie Nights is well worth seeing even if you completely despise the porno industry. There is room for more than one opinion here and Anderson doesn't really state his own. I rate this 7/10.
The story about Dirk Diggler and his exploding porn-career in the late 1970's - early 1980's bears considerable similarity with that of John Holmes and the fact that Holmes has been an inspiration is obvious. The thing i most appreciated about this movie is the way that it shows both sides of the business. At first the upside where the young kid is introduced to a world of sex, drugs and rich friendly people. Then later the backside with crime, abuse and crashed lives. And it's all done with an excellent mix of comedy and drama as well as a distinct feeling when it comes to style. Visual as well as otherwise.
Despite being a movie about the porno business, Boogie Nights is not very explicit. A correct choice in my opinion since more explicit scenes wouldn't have added to the movie, rather it would instead have run the risk of feeling like exploitation. Paul Thomas Anderson is a talented director and he manages to balance many talented actors in a good way while still letting it be his more than their film. Also i don't know what he did with Mark Wahlberg, but suddenly he could act! I don't like Wahlberg at all otherwise but here even he performed well.
Boogie Nights is well worth seeing even if you completely despise the porno industry. There is room for more than one opinion here and Anderson doesn't really state his own. I rate this 7/10.