920. Boogie Nights

Boogie Nights
1997
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson

I am not sure why the comment section isn't working.  I have looked at other blogs and I don't think the widget is working for them either.  Hopefully, it will start working again magically without me putting any effort into it.  That's the dream, right?  Anyway, I will keep replying to all comments and I apologize that this is now a huge pain in the ass.

Now then.  I did not anticipate enjoying this film.  I have strongly disliked Paul Thomas Anderson ever since I saw Magnolia (but that's a rant for another time).  However, I actually did have fun with this one; I think Moore's presence comforted me.

In the late 70s, Eddie Adams is a high school drop out working as a dishwasher at a night club.  He is approached by a porn filmmaker, Jack Horner,  and um...auditions.  Eddie impresses Jack with his exceptionally large penis and Eddie enters the world of pornography, adopting the pseudonym Dirk Diggler.  Apparently he never heard of the "take the name of the first pet plus the street you grew up on" rule for finding your porn name.  Anyway, at first the pornverse seems glamorous to Eddie, but gradually the seedier aspects of the industry become apparent.

There really isn't much to dislike about this film.  It has a great soundtrack, a great cast, and a great story.  Maybe it was a bit too long, but at least the pacing felt right.  Obviously, we can all imagine that the porn world is sordid, but it is a largely unexplored subject in mainstream film.  It was intriguing/horrifying to finally get an inside look.

Unfortunately, not the last Anderson on the List.  He would have ended on such a high note!

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Leonard DiCaprio had to turn down the role of Dirk Diggler as he had already signed on to do Titanic.

Body count of 9.

After seeing a rough cut of the film, Burt Reynolds reportedly fired his agent for recommending the role in the first place.