Boogie Nights
1997 · Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
Original language: English
- drama
- comedy
The story
In 1977, an idealistic porn producer and his promising protege try to catch up with the end of an era before their never-ending party collides with cold, hard reality.
What it’s like
Warm, sun-faded and restless: Paul Thomas Anderson's camera glides through the late-seventies San Fernando Valley in long, roving takes, slipping between crowded rooms of wood-panelled dens, cluttered sets under hot kliegs, and the blue-lit glow of a nightclub where the dance floor seems to pulse. The palette leans on amber, burnt orange, and sickly fluorescent white, with a grainy, 35mm texture that makes the 1970s feel lived-in rather than costumed. The soundtrack is a bright run of disco and soft rock that keeps the energy high, then cuts out to hush when the characters are alone with their doubts. Its vibe is euphoric and melancholy at once, the feeling of a party you can sense is ending. It suits a late night with a drink, or a rewatch when you want something sprawling and funny with a sadness underneath. Pacing is loose and episodic for much of its runtime, with a tightening second half. Its people are a found family of misfits chasing a dream, and the arc is one of hope curdling into loss. Intensity is high: frequent strong language, nudity and explicit sexual content, drug use, a violent robbery and a brutal, sudden shooting, plus a harsh emotional fallout. For adults who like messy, character-driven ensemble films with a bittersweet edge.
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