Boogie Nights

Paul Thomas Anderson obviously gave a look at Martin Scorsese’s best nineties work, because those long handheld camera shots without a single cut are a carbon copy of the legendary camera mapping of the restaurant in Goodfellas, or the period hits and haunting seventies atmosphere of Casino. It's full of top-notch actors, but they are unfortunately pretty underused in places. At the same time, Boogie Nights is a sinfully narrative film that doesn't say too much. Fine in mosaic form, but to put it simply, the director, with a few exceptions, goes about it through 5-10 very long steadicam sequences, with one at a pool, one during a shoot, etc. Fine and fresh, properly downbeat and noisy in places, but the running time is way too long. (25/05/2017)

It’s hard to believe that a behind-the-scenes look at the pornography industry of the 1970s could be so entertaining. P.T. Anderson's second great film, despite its lengthy three-hour runtime, makes such a holistic impression, without a single plot hiccup, that I bow to him. Inventive cinematography, irresistibly cynical humour and a perfect soundtrack make this film the ultimate experience. Credit must also go to Mark Wahlberg, who grabbed his first big acting opportunity by the balls. And Burt Reynolds, as a director trying to bring a little bit of art to porn, has probably never played a better role. (17/07/2002)

Once in a while it doesn't hurt to catch up on an old film and this is just the ticket. Mark Wahlberg, then a budding actor, gets the opportunity to break into the porn industry and his life changes radically. Along with a fancy house, a car and fucking beautiful women, there are also parties full of booze and drugs and a personality change. Very funny, exciting and educational. 85% (18/11/2019)

For me, Paul Thomas Anderson is more of an inaccessible director, and I don't particularly like some of his films; I endured them rather than enjoyed them. The Master probably the most. But Boogie Nights tackles an interesting subject, it's brilliantly executed and acted, and I simply enjoyed those three hours. Mark Wahlberg is great here. (16/02/2017)

Until Wahlberg took out the rubber dildo, it was “just” kinda crazy. On the one hand, I didn’t really even expect anything else from Anderson as a director. As far as filmmaking goes, it’s a precise job that showcases itself in the best possible light in some of the scenes. I even feel like it might be his best-filmed movie ever. On the other hand, it’s incredibly crazy in a classic way, which is exactly the director’s signature, but I’m not really able to get through such craziness, bordering on pure madness. However, Wahlberg put on a show. He couldn’t have asked for a better role for the beginning of his movie career. But I could do without the singing. Good old Marky Mark; although, he also didn’t sing in that... but he was pretty cool. (29/06/2015)