The life of a dreamer, the days of a business, and the nights in between.|Oct. 07, 1997|United States|156 Min.|R
Genre: Drama
Description: Set in 1977, *Boogie Nights* follows Eddie Adams, a high-school dropout living in Torrance, California, with his father and verbally abusive mother. Working at a nightclub owned by Maurice Rodriguez, Eddie crosses paths with Jack Horner, a filmmaker in the adult entertainment industry. Intrigued by Eddie’s potential, Jack invites him for an audition, where he performs alongside Rollergirl, a porn star known for always wearing skates. After a heated argument with his mother about his personal life, Eddie leaves home and moves in with Jack at his San Fernando Valley residence.
Adopting the stage name Dirk Diggler, Eddie quickly rises to fame thanks to his striking looks, charm, and a notable physical attribute. His success brings him wealth, allowing him to purchase a new home, an impressive wardrobe, and a sleek 1977 Chevrolet Corvette. Alongside his friend and fellow adult film star Reed Rothchild, Dirk creates a series of popular action-themed films. Surrounded by colleagues from the industry, Dirk enjoys the hedonistic lifestyle of the late 1970s disco era. However, the carefree atmosphere takes a dark turn during a New Year’s Eve party at Jack’s home to ring in 1980. Assistant director Little Bill Thompson, devastated by his wife’s infidelity, tragically ends her life, her lover’s, and his own in a shocking act of violence.
As the ’80s progress, Dirk and Reed fall into a pattern of cocaine abuse, which begins to take its toll. Dirk struggles with maintaining his on-screen performance, experiences erratic mood swings, and becomes jealous of Johnny Doe, a newcomer recruited by Jack. In 1983, after a heated argument with Jack, Dirk is dismissed from the team. He leaves with Reed and Scotty, a boom operator harboring unrequited feelings for Dirk, to pursue a music career. Meanwhile, Jack rejects a cost-cutting proposal from Floyd Gondolli, a theater magnate, who suggests switching to videotape production. Jack remains steadfast in his belief that video would compromise the quality of his work.
Cast director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Cast actor: Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, Mark Wahlberg, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, Heather Graham, Luis Guzmán, Rico Bueno, Nicole Ari Parker, William H. Macy
Original name: Boogie Nights