Boogie Nights (R)
Porn industry docudrama; not for anyone under 17.
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Seen the movie?
Movie details
- Studio: New Line Cinema
- Directed By: Paul Anderson
- Cast: Burt Reynolds, Mark Wahlberg
- Running Time: 156 minutes
- Release Date: 10/08/1997
- Video/DVD Release Date: 04/07/1998
- Genre: Drama
- MPAA Rating: R
- MPAA Explanation: strong sex scenes with explicit dialogue, nudity, drug use, language and violence
Parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie isn't meant for kids or teenagers. With its heavy emphasis on illegal substance abuse, promiscuous sex and violence (not to mention an ambiguous code of ethics that blurs right from wrong), the film glamorizes the high-profile lives of pornographers in the late 70s and early 80s.
Families can talk about the obvious personal, social, and self-destructive ramifications involved with the dangerous lifestyle portrayed in this glitzy, disco-era culture of excess. It should also be explained that the film is a time-period piece of a halcyon, hazy period of innocence (the 70s) in American culture that has long since passed and can't, for a variety of reasons, be re-lived today.
Families can talk about the obvious personal, social, and self-destructive ramifications involved with the dangerous lifestyle portrayed in this glitzy, disco-era culture of excess. It should also be explained that the film is a time-period piece of a halcyon, hazy period of innocence (the 70s) in American culture that has long since passed and can't, for a variety of reasons, be re-lived today.
Message
Social Behavior:
Drug-abusing female porn star is portrayed as virtuous mother, drug-abusing male porn star deals drugs, commits robbery, and is depicted as movie's hero.
Consumerism:
Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:
Cocaine use, pot smoking, and drinking.
Violence
Gunshot suicide, gang-style mauling, close-range gun shots to the head.
Sex
Frontal nudity, simulated copulation and oral sex.
Language
Very strong language.
Common Sense says
What's the story?
Reviewed by Jelani Harper
BOOGIE NIGHTS details the swift rise to "stardom" of one 17-year-old Dirk Diggler, who along with his teen-length physical endowment, soon takes over the adult film industry as it struggles on its last legs in the late 70s and early 80s. However, as the pornographic industry shifts away from big-budget screen releases to home video, Dirk and his film compatriots outgrow their stardom, and finances, almost as quickly as they got them. Relationships strengthened under the unblinking eye of the camera, constant music, and overabundance of drugs and parties dissolve in a fit of violence and self-despair for nearly everyone -- until an unforeseen happy ending in which everyone's problems are magically solved.
Is it any good?
Boogie Nights is not for the faint of heart. The film earned its R rating for its raw depiction of sex, drugs, rock and roll, and profanity. Interestingly enough, it makes no attempts to justify such social lechery, or even illustrate the all too common consequences of such actions, which may leave viewers confused as to what, if any, morals or lessons are to be taken from here.
Bottom line: Kids may be interested in seeing this movie because of the controversial topic, but parents should know that this material is not suitable for children and younger teens.
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