Boogie Nights | Rotten Tomatoes

Boogie Nights

R

Released Oct 10, 1997

2 hr. 32 min.

Drama

List

93%

76 Reviews

Tomatometer

89%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In the San Fernando Valley in 1977, teenage busboy Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg) gets discovered by porn director Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds), who transforms him into adult-film sensation Dirk Diggler. Brought into a supportive circle of friends, including fellow actors Amber Waves (Julianne Moore), Rollergirl (Heather Graham) and Reed Rothchild (John C. Reilly), Dirk fulfills all his ambitions, but a toxic combination of drugs and egotism threatens to take him back down.

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Critics Consensus

Grounded in strong characters, bold themes, and subtle storytelling, Boogie Nights is a groundbreaking film both for director P.T. Anderson and star Mark Wahlberg.

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noa r

paul thomas anderson is so fun! a beautiful movie on california in the 70s not critiquing the porn industry, but simply teaching it's value and the people within it. i love julianne moore more than anything. each character has their own story that is so personal and that is what makes this film even more special.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/11/24

Full Review

Daniel B

Really freaking cool dude 11/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/28/24

Full Review

Jon W

Boogie nights is a movie that shows the dark side of the porn industry and fame. a stylish film, with comedic moments thrown in. the performances are amazing. this movie shows why Mark Walberg is a star. i loved Burt Reynolds performance, he captured the role perfect. a lot of talent among other actors as well will keep you glued to your seat. this is a once in a lifetime film for a talented director to call his own. we get to see the real human side of people, the good, the bad and the in between of what it means to be in the Entertainment world. a must see film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/28/23

Full Review

Josh G

This is an excellent period dramedy with a stellar cast and a absorbent runtime that can take you away from the meat of the film. The first act is fast and fast with little no change and could be trimmed down, the second act is dramatic and could be longer and the third act just ends. The camera is memorizing and moves so fluidly to grasp a style. It has all the markings of future PTA but falls flat on pacing.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/16/23

Full Review

Alec C

Boogie Nights is a film that represents the best of the 1970's while also shows us the downward spiral of the passing era. Balancing the ecstasy with the heavier dose of reality, we see the characters reach the highest highs and lowest lows. Mark Wahlburg plays up the emotional naivety with gusto until he hits a brick wall that only seems to be sliding him down into drugs and prostitution.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Mark Whalberg, the late Burt Reynolds and Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Heather Graham, Julianne Moore, Luis Guzman, Thomas Jane, John C. Reilly, Joanna Gleason, and Don Cheadle Paul Thomas Anderson directs an all-star cast in the San Fernando Valley of 1977 Famous adult filmmaker Jack Horner comes across Eddie Addams Eddie's life seems to be going nowhere and even his mom can see that Soon he changes his stage name to Dirk Diggler and makes it big in the adult entertainment industry But Eddie falls victim to his addiction of fame, drugs, and egotism slowly crumbling everything around him The first half of the movie is all fun and games. But the second half of the movie is a sort of punishment for those fun and games from the 70s to the 80s Finally the latter half is an excruciating descent into desperation and stupidity This was a comeback for 70s actor Reynolds even if he hated the movie garnering Oscar praise and this does clock in at 2 and half hours This is still a stylish and electric tragicomedy and ultimately, is about love, acceptance, and finding your place in the world Yes this is an adult entertainment opus but it's very spot-on capturing the 1970s feel of the X-rated genre of filmmaking Whalberg magnifies the screen with his presence playing this man that succumbs got violent mood swings and is unable to perform Plus this had Anderson emerge as a filmmaker considering he had a real-life fascination with the subject matter growing up You can tell the authenticity is there since the director even hired real-life adult film stars Anderson has a passionate and painfully honest depiction of the American soul eliciting something similar to a punk band’s first records — pure fiery brilliance He perfectly captures the ambition, style and freneticism of the era in the gorgeous grainy cinematography and the characters who feel like an indelible part of the landscape’s makeup A story of a man that can be spat back out from the fame that gave him a purpose in a world of exploitation And a fantastic take on a Golden Era that nobody wants to remember and it's pretty relevant

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/14/23

Full Review

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Paul Thomas Anderson

Director

Mark Wahlberg

Eddie Adams

Burt Reynolds

Jack Horner

Julianne Moore

Amber Waves

John C. Reilly

Reed Rothchild

Don Cheadle

Buck Swope

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

A beautifully made survey of '70s excess, filtered through the trashy world of the burgeoning porno film industry in southern California.

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 28, 2019

Full Review

Mike Clark

USA Today

The pop 1970s were typified in part by cheesy fashions, ephemeral music and a regular diet of daring, cutting-edge movies that arguably made that decade Hollywood's richest. Blistering Boogie Nights recaptures the spirit of that time on all three counts.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 10, 2018

Full Review

Jason Bailey

Vice

The Tarantino comparison is ultimately less about technique than a shared joyful electricity of the filmmaking, the sense of an artist clearly high on the sheer act of making a movie.

Oct 30, 2017

Full Review

Erick Estrada

Cinegarage

It's so complex in its apparent simplicity... the film presents the opportunity to be examined from different levels from many sides. If you haven't seen it yet, I'm jealous. [Full review in Spanish]

Apr 6, 2023

Full Review

Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

A boldly original and superbly entertaining portrait of the porn industry.

Rated: A+

Jan 10, 2023

Full Review

James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

Made in the shadow of Paul Verhoeven’s much-maligned Showgirls, even a quarter-of-a-century on Boogie Nights is an evocative, provocative triumph.

Rated: 4.5/5

Oct 14, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

In the San Fernando Valley in 1977, teenage busboy Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg) gets discovered by porn director Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds), who transforms him into adult-film sensation Dirk Diggler. Brought into a supportive circle of friends, including fellow actors Amber Waves (Julianne Moore), Rollergirl (Heather Graham) and Reed Rothchild (John C. Reilly), Dirk fulfills all his ambitions, but a toxic combination of drugs and egotism threatens to take him back down.

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Executive Producer: Lawrence Gordon
Screenwriter: Paul Thomas Anderson
Distributor: Criterion Collection, New Line Cinema
Production Co: New Line Cinema, Lawrence Gordon Productions
Rating: R (Explicit Dialogue|Drug Use|Violence|Language|Nudity|Strong Sex Scenes)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 1997, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $26.4M
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)

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