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Boogie Nights
"Everyone is blessed with One Special Thing," says Eddie Adams, who is endowed with a rather stunning piece of equipment that enables him to become a shining star in the world of adult entertainment. Deprived of love and respect by his family, Eddie--renaming himself Dirk Diggler--conquers the world of porn while keeping his innocence intact. As the turbulent Seventies become the hedonistic Eighties, Dirk's career goes into a tailspin--but he is rescued by the safety net of the extended family created by hard-core film director Jack Horner.
Paul Thomas Anderson's screenplay for Boogie Nights is exemplary in its ability to interweave the multiple character strands into a culminating narrative. Like the Roman dramatist Terence, who said that "nothing human is alien to me," Anderson has taken on what is regarded as one of the sleaziest sides of life and infused it with an aching humanity.
Paul Thomas Anderson's screenplay for Boogie Nights is exemplary in its ability to interweave the multiple character strands into a culminating narrative. Like the Roman dramatist Terence, who said that "nothing human is alien to me," Anderson has taken on what is regarded as one of the sleaziest sides of life and infused it with an aching humanity.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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About the author
Paul Thomas Anderson
19 books62 followersPaul Thomas Anderson is a five-time Academy Award-nominated American filmmaker.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 28, 2025
Boogie Nights, written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
9 out of 10
A different version of this note and thoughts on other books are available at:
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... and http://realini.blogspot.ro/
Boogie Nights is a fantastic treat.
You can find it, with other marvels, on list of The New York Times’ Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made:
- http://www.listchallenges.com/new-yor...
It won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for Burt Reynolds, who is brilliant here.
It was also nominated for another Golden Globe, three Academy Awards, two BAFTAs and other important prizes.
The cast is simply mesmerizing:
- Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, Don Cheadle, Mark Wahlberg, Heather Graham, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John C. Reilly, William H. Macy
- Nec Plus Ultra
One cannot hope for any better team.
And yet, I have just one caveat and that regards the actor in the main role, that of Eddie Adams who becomes Dirk Diggler.
Mark Wahlberg is not one of my favorite actors and therefore I am probably biased, but he comes across as somewhat unlikeable.
Yes, the hero is a star in pornographic films and that could mean that there is a stigma associated so he may actually play well his part.
The company of so many better, much more accomplished actors does no service to Wahlberg whose acting pales in comparison.
Overall, the casting is so beyond this world that they more than compensate for the lack of charisma of the lead role.
Eddie Adams is a young man who has to work in difficult circumstances until he meets Jack Horner aka Burt Reynolds.
Jack Horner is a big name in the porn industry, but Eddie does not know that and thinks he wants to have sex.
Amber Waves, portrayed with brilliance by Julianne Moore, is the wife of the producer and a star in his films.
Eddie Adams is well endowed and invited to “act” opposite Amber, then Rollergirl aka Heather Graham.
Boogie Nights is a study of this world that is so much despised, loathed and yet so influent and popular.
The women and men that gain their existence from this trade are to be understood and if not embraced at least sympathized with in my view.
For some it was a choice, others had no alternative and another group was forced into pornography or working in the sex industry.
Apart from the celebrated stories by Dostoyevsky and the character of Sonya, Pretty Woman and so many other tales, I think of the real world wherein many men and women sell their charms and become powerful politicians or tycoons, based on just a small or smaller number of clients that they prostitute for.
- How is that any better?
- The call girls would rather marry a billionaire and sign an exclusive, “one client” deal, but most have no such option
So in my mind the anathema, loathing and repudiation of these “workers in the sex industry” is exaggerated and wrong.
As for the Boogie Nights, Jack Horner and his group have a Place in the Sun, but only for a period and the downfall is approaching.
The story has violence, sex, drugs (and rock and roll), love affairs and deception, perverts and nymphomaniacs.
But there are many hilarious scenes and the film is an adjectival work.
- Medicine, man!
- Medicine!
A quote from the movie:
“Dirk: What can you expect when you're on top? You know? It's like Napoleon. When he was the king, you know, people were just constantly trying to conquer him, you know, in the Roman Empire. So, it's history repeating itself all over again.”
9 out of 10
A different version of this note and thoughts on other books are available at:
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... and http://realini.blogspot.ro/
Boogie Nights is a fantastic treat.
You can find it, with other marvels, on list of The New York Times’ Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made:
- http://www.listchallenges.com/new-yor...
It won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for Burt Reynolds, who is brilliant here.
It was also nominated for another Golden Globe, three Academy Awards, two BAFTAs and other important prizes.
The cast is simply mesmerizing:
- Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, Don Cheadle, Mark Wahlberg, Heather Graham, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John C. Reilly, William H. Macy
- Nec Plus Ultra
One cannot hope for any better team.
And yet, I have just one caveat and that regards the actor in the main role, that of Eddie Adams who becomes Dirk Diggler.
Mark Wahlberg is not one of my favorite actors and therefore I am probably biased, but he comes across as somewhat unlikeable.
Yes, the hero is a star in pornographic films and that could mean that there is a stigma associated so he may actually play well his part.
The company of so many better, much more accomplished actors does no service to Wahlberg whose acting pales in comparison.
Overall, the casting is so beyond this world that they more than compensate for the lack of charisma of the lead role.
Eddie Adams is a young man who has to work in difficult circumstances until he meets Jack Horner aka Burt Reynolds.
Jack Horner is a big name in the porn industry, but Eddie does not know that and thinks he wants to have sex.
Amber Waves, portrayed with brilliance by Julianne Moore, is the wife of the producer and a star in his films.
Eddie Adams is well endowed and invited to “act” opposite Amber, then Rollergirl aka Heather Graham.
Boogie Nights is a study of this world that is so much despised, loathed and yet so influent and popular.
The women and men that gain their existence from this trade are to be understood and if not embraced at least sympathized with in my view.
For some it was a choice, others had no alternative and another group was forced into pornography or working in the sex industry.
Apart from the celebrated stories by Dostoyevsky and the character of Sonya, Pretty Woman and so many other tales, I think of the real world wherein many men and women sell their charms and become powerful politicians or tycoons, based on just a small or smaller number of clients that they prostitute for.
- How is that any better?
- The call girls would rather marry a billionaire and sign an exclusive, “one client” deal, but most have no such option
So in my mind the anathema, loathing and repudiation of these “workers in the sex industry” is exaggerated and wrong.
As for the Boogie Nights, Jack Horner and his group have a Place in the Sun, but only for a period and the downfall is approaching.
The story has violence, sex, drugs (and rock and roll), love affairs and deception, perverts and nymphomaniacs.
But there are many hilarious scenes and the film is an adjectival work.
- Medicine, man!
- Medicine!
A quote from the movie:
“Dirk: What can you expect when you're on top? You know? It's like Napoleon. When he was the king, you know, people were just constantly trying to conquer him, you know, in the Roman Empire. So, it's history repeating itself all over again.”
January 22, 2024
1. Something wonderful
2. Big, bright shining star
3. Dirk Diggler
4. Grow & grow & grow & grow
5. Video-tape tells the truth
6. Lines & lines & lines & lines
7. Cash grab
8. The Mixed Tape
2. Big, bright shining star
3. Dirk Diggler
4. Grow & grow & grow & grow
5. Video-tape tells the truth
6. Lines & lines & lines & lines
7. Cash grab
8. The Mixed Tape
December 13, 2017
Excellent screenplay.
I love the way PTA gets his characters across through their actions and dialogue without having to spell it out. Brilliant writing! Of course, the movie was excellent as well. An interesting and human way of looking at how porn stars in the 70s may have lived their lives. Will be seeking out more of his movies.
Worth the read.
I love the way PTA gets his characters across through their actions and dialogue without having to spell it out. Brilliant writing! Of course, the movie was excellent as well. An interesting and human way of looking at how porn stars in the 70s may have lived their lives. Will be seeking out more of his movies.
Worth the read.
February 14, 2020
I really liked this film when it came out but there was something about the script that didn't sit right. Well, as right, that is.
There was too much clutter, too many extraneous scenes. The movie was long but the screenplay, if edited as it was on the page, would have been an extra hour longer and the pacing would have been all over the place with a giant second act and mistimed turning points.
I'm glad they omitted numerous scenes. An average screenplay but a very good film.
There was too much clutter, too many extraneous scenes. The movie was long but the screenplay, if edited as it was on the page, would have been an extra hour longer and the pacing would have been all over the place with a giant second act and mistimed turning points.
I'm glad they omitted numerous scenes. An average screenplay but a very good film.
November 21, 2022
Best screenplay book I’ve read. It’s fully formatted like the actual shooting script and includes all the blue/pink revisions aswell as marking sections omitted from the final draft.
There’s also a really good introduction by PTA.
There’s also a really good introduction by PTA.
May 28, 2019
Great screenplay!!
August 16, 2021
Well done screenplay.
February 24, 2022
It’s just one of those scripts you read and immediately you want to write one. I love PTA.
January 29, 2008
Great tool for aspiring screenwriters. Watch the movie, then read the script and you can easily trace each plot point in the script. The screenplay and story are linear so it's great for a first time screenwriter to use as a guide. It's easy to follow the ups and downs that Eddie/Dirk experiences on his journey through the porn business. It's a useful screenplay to use, with examples of a strong main character who faces various obstacles and changes.
March 24, 2009
A good example of how screenwriters needn't make everything tie up to make a satisfying film. A lot of the heavier plot points in the book don't end up in the film, to the latter's benefit. Also a good touchstone for grammatically-challenged writers. Orthography is obviously not a valued skill in the world of film production.
December 15, 2008
Well. I read the online version back in 1997.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVaX7h...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVaX7h...
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews