I searched them out, obsessing over the humor and the camphow bad the acting was, how odd it all was. By the time I was sixteenit actually became quite sad.-PTA in DETAILS, September 1997Boogie Nights is one of the key films of the nineties and arguably the most exuberant and alive American movies in years. With its amazing kaleidoscope camerawork it echoes the Robert Altman of Nashville (his signature piece) and the Martin Scorsese of Goodfellas. The script was so well crafted that it attracted actors who would not normally consider taking on such lurid material.Although Boogie Nights is loosely based upon the real life of porn legend John Holmes, it proves to be a classic Hollywood rise-and-fall fable. The film follows the lives of an extended family of pornographers in the late 70s and early 80s who aspire to revolutionize the adult entertainment industry. We are taken on a magnificent journey into a misunderstood world characterized by loneliness, defeat, and the occasional bout of hope. At the center of the film is how the diverse canvas of characters comes together to form a family. They share in each others successes and downfalls. PTA does not judge his characters or condemn their lifestyle. Instead he invites the viewer to form his or her own opinions. And, once again, Anderson brings to the screen an amazing ensemble cast. Mark Wahlberg plays the main character, Eddie Adams, who adopts the porn star pseudonym Dirk Diggler. The role was originally to be played Leonardo Dicaprio but he decided to take the leading role in Titanic, which proved to be beneficial not only for Dicaprio but also for Boogie Nights. Anderson later said that Wahlberg was definitely the right choice and that everyone was satisfied with Wahlbergs decision to take the role.Playing the Part of Jack Horner, the familys father figure and omnipotent director, is veteran actor and Hollywood legend, Burt Reynolds. The father-figure image extended bey...
