Talk:Boogie Nights

Box office returns?

How much did this film gross overall (until now 12/2006)?

LGBT film?

Is this really considered an "LGBT" film? Homosexuality is shown fleetingly, yes, but does that mean any film with any depiction of homosexuality is considered "LGBT?" --Feitclub 02:39, Dec 8, 2004 (UTC)

Indeed - this is a movie about sex in its many permutations, not really an "LGBT" movie. At least, no more than the Bible is an "LGBT" book. I don't have any problem with people checking it out because they think it might have that content, but it's not an accurate descriptionRachel612 05:41, 24 August 2005 (UTC)

So it's LGBT-related. Jim Michael (talk) 23:57, 9 October 2016 (UTC)

I think that's a bit of a stretch. There's no social commentary on such, it has very little to do with the overall plot, it's never mentioned prior or subsequent to the one scene in which it appears (to the best of my recollection). Anyone checking out this film hoping for any significant LGBT material is going to be sorely disappointed. DonIago (talk) 16:50, 27 January 2017 (UTC)

I agree with Doniago. It certainly fails WP:CATDEF as it is not a "defining characteristic" of this film. MarnetteD|Talk 18:15, 27 January 2017 (UTC)

Plot overhaul

Reading through the plot, none of it really seems coherent when compared to the film. It'll be hard to make the section better, because the plot of the film itself is rather complicating to put into words, but the section really needs to be rewritten. Most of it only covers the downfall that occurs with the characters during the 1980s sequence and it doesn't even mention the homicides and suicides of William H. Macy's character, Little Bill (which is a pivotal turning point of the film) or Brock Landers, the character series that almost creates a revolution in the porn industry by taking it nearer the heights of legitimate film. Basically, this needs to be organized a little better. The sections in the film are more or less like this:

1. Introductions - This is the first hour of the film. It details each characters introduction to the audience as Dirk familiarizes himself to the members of the porn industry.
2. 1978: Brock Landers and Chest Rockwell - After making a series of successful, award-winning adult films, Dirk and Reed approach Jack about the Brock Landers idea: a series of pornography films following the adventures of a James Bond-esque detective. The first film is such a successful exerience that Jack remarks that it's the film he wants to be remembered for. The reputations of Jack, the cast and crew and, especially Dirk, skyrocket within the industry. However, as the 1980s near, the porn medium begins to change for the worse, with word of home video taking over film. This dark downfall is marked especially by the suicide of Little Bill at the New Year's Eve party after murdering his wife.
3. 80s - The characters of Jack's family begin to slowly go separate ways. Though Jack tries to continue to make movies with film, he eventually gives in and starts making porn videos. The quality of his films diminish. Many porn stars try to leave the industry, but find that the outside world will not accept them (Buck's loan/Amber seeking custody). Many characters become more dependent on cocaine (Amber/Dirk). As Dirk becomes less confident in his ability to perform on camera, he succumbs to his ego during a fight with Jack and leaves his care to persue an unsuccessful recording career. Most of what follows is already in the article (Rollergirl and Jack's failed reality experiment, the assault on Dirk, the bloody donut shop robbery Buck is involved in, etc.)
4. Tuesday Morning, September, 1983 - This was a title card for Amber's scene and what comes after. (So the "80s" section would be split in two).
5. Long Way Down (One Last Thing) - This is the failed theft Dirk, Reed and Todd attempt with Rahad Jackson. It ends with Dirk finding himself back at Jack's house. After the incredible dark turn the 80s sequence features, many of the characters try and repair their broken lives by joining back together as a family. Jack, Amber, Rollergirl, Buck, Jesse and Luiz are all seen in Jack's house. The final scene features Dirk, still disillusioned that he is Brock Landers (even though he isn't even Dirk -- he's Eddie Adams).

I'm not sure if I'm writing this more for myself as an eventual reminder to just get off of my ass and try and fix it myself, but if anyone would like to start changing things, be my guest. This film is just one of the most important movies of the late 90s independent film movement and I think it deserves a well-written article.

Pele Merengue 07:35, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

I think the following sentence needs to be moved to later in the section as where it currently sits gives the character Little Bill undue weight.

"Assistant director Little Bill (William H. Macy) is married to a blonde porn star (Nina Hartley) who frequently embarrasses him by having sex with other men in public and off-camera. At a New Year's Eve party at Jack's house marking the year 1980, he shoots and kills her and her lover and then turns the gun on himself in front of the guests." Master z0b (talk) 02:50, 25 January 2011 (UTC)

Infobox

I've never seen this movie (so I can't do it) but the starring list in the infobox needs to be trimmed down. It should only have the stars...not every actor. I guess I just find it hard to believe that 12 people starred in this movie... Cburnett 19:07, May 31, 2005 (UTC)

• PT Anderson's films are like that. 12 people really did star in this movie. Dario 03:22, 24 August 2005 (UTC)
  • Agreed - there are multiple plot lines through the movie, so although Mark Wahlberg probably gets more screen time, there are large chunks of the movie devoted to Cheadle, Reynolds, Moore and others.Rachel612 05:41, 24 August 2005 (UTC)
    • Ensemble cast

Coke vs. meth

My viewing leads me to believe that "Dirk Diggler" became addicted to coke, but "Eddie", while he was down on his luck, did meth during one scene with his gang before engaging in crime. Does anyone have an evidence for one or the other? If not, we can just change that sentence to "drugs", as he was clearly addicted to something. --TreyHarris 20:27, 6 January 2006 (UTC)

Original script says Eddie and the Gang do coke... only mention of other drugs is what is at Rahad Jackson's place.--Jamott 22:13, 6 January 2006 (UTC)

-- According to the dialogue and 'drug talk', it appears that it is indeed meth that Eddie is addicted to, or at least that is what they do before the heist. (unsigned comment)

The original drug of choice is coke; later in the film it becomes crystal meth. 209.247.22.166 (talk) 14:17, 27 September 2008 (UTC)

Dirk's manhood

That's soooo obviously a prosthetic at the end. He would put the real thing back in his pants a lot more carefully regardless of size. Believe me, I know. Augurr 20:50, 9 September 2006 (UTC)

Avoiding jokes about how you could possible know, if there's going to be mention of the prosthetic there should also be a mention that it was based on casting taken from porn actor Ron Jeremy. I can't remember if it is mentioned in the commentary or not. RoyBatty42 19:58, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

The credit for penis double needs to be removed, it's a BS gag from a previous editor. From IMDB trivia on boogie nights: Mark Wahlberg did keep a souvenir from the film, the infamous fake penis used in the final shot of the film. It was made from an easily biodegradable rubber and foam combination which, according to Wahlberg, has since already begun to deteriorate. Phenix2099 (talk) 08:02, 13 January 2009 (UTC)

Laserdisc vs DVD

There are no mentions of the April 8, 1998 laserdisc (or VHS) releases, one was a regular and the other was a Criterion Collection one which is where many of the features of the DVD came from (including the artwork). RoyBatty42 19:58, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

I just added a brief mention of this release. If anyone has more info regarding its release (namely the release date), please add it. --Undertow87 16:04, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

Macy murder/suicide?

Are the three deaths (by WH Macy, at the New Year party) shown unambiguously - as opposed to the sound of gun shot(s)? I don't have the movie but I recall some ambiguity left over from that scene. elpincha 15:14, 11 July 2007 (UTC)

No ambiguity. You see Macy walk into the bedroom and point the gun at his wife and her lover who were off-camera but you see the shadow of his wife react to his gun firing on them. Azn Clayjar (talk) 06:35, 20 December 2008 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:BoogieNights.jpg

Image:BoogieNights.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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BetacommandBot 06:12, 27 October 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Boogienights2.jpg

Image:Boogienights2.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot 06:15, 27 October 2007 (UTC)

Unsourced material

The following is unsourced information:

• The night club scenes were filmed at The Country Club located in Reseda, California.
• Samuel L. Jackson (who had worked with Anderson previously in Hard Eight) was Anderson's first choice to play the role of Buck Swope. However, according to Anderson, Jackson said he "didn't get it." Don Cheadle was cast instead. Among the actors circling around the Jack Horner role were Warren Beatty and Sydney Pollack, who both turned the film down. Upon seeing the film at its premiere, Pollack regretted turning down the part and cited that he didn't understand it when he read the script, until he saw the finished film. Julianne Moore had similar concerns about the material, but signed on to play Amber Waves after reading the script and finding it to be wonderfully written.
• The events in the film take place between 1977 and 1984.
• A much talked-about scene occurs at the end of the film when Dirk Diggler reveals his huge, flaccid penis while speaking to himself in the mirror. For years afterward, star Mark Wahlberg has been asked if that is his actual penis. It is a prosthetic.
• The song "The Touch" sung by Mark Wahlberg's character when he tries to become a singing star was originally created for the 1986 Transformers movie. It was performed by Stan Bush. When The Transformers: The Movie was released on DVD there is even mention of this in an interview with the film's composer, Vince DiCola; where he states he was very surprised that it was used in another movie. He even called Stan Bush to let him know about it.
• Donnie Wahlberg, Mark's brother, said that Mark's singing in the movie was terrible and added..."and that's the best he's ever sounded!"
• The opening scene is nearly three minutes long without a cut, and shows most of the characters in the film, ending with a shot of young Eddie Adams (the future Dirk Diggler). At the end of the movie, there is a similar long scene without a cut showing most of the characters, right before the last scene with Dirk in his dressing room. Another long, single take sequence that fleshes out many characters takes place during the first party upon Eddie's arrival to porn as the future Dirk Diggler. The moment where the camera pulls into the pool was inspired by the film I Am Cuba.
• Both the firecrackers during the Rahad Jackson scene and Buck Swope's name are references to the 1969 Robert Downey Sr. film Putney Swope, one of P.T. Anderson's favorite films. Robert Downey Sr. even appears in the film as the recording studio manager, and is singled out as "a prince" in the end credits.
• Burt Reynolds reportedly did his first day's work as Jack Horner using an Irish accent, but was back to his normal voice by the second day. He was so upset after seeing the film for the first time that he fired his agent, only to rehire him again after getting an Oscar nomination and the best reviews of his career for his work.
• There is an image of Elliott Gould that appears three times in the film (one of them is on the wall of the porno set during Maurice's big scene).
• The group Heatwave refused to allow their song "Boogie Nights" to be used in this film because the song was not about pornography.
• On the DVD, there is an option to view color bars. Doing so reveals an Easter egg. The color bars fade after a few seconds and reveal a gag take of Bob Ridgley presenting an award as the Colonel James and test footage of Mark Wahlberg wearing the prosthetic penis.
• Ron Jeremy was a consultant for the movie (revealed this in interview on 2/13/07 KISSFM Milwaukee).

Ron Jeremy also mentions his work on this movie in his autobiography, The Hardest (Working) Man in Showbiz. Dick Kimball (talk) 18:10, 7 October 2009 (UTC)

• WWE Superstar Dolph Ziggler's gimmick is loosely based on Dirk Diggler.

While this is interesting, we can't use it unless you provide a source. Also, none of this is really trivia, as trivia by its definition is "unimportant information" - it therefore shouldn't be in a trivia section but instead the information should be incorporated into the main article. - Tbsdy lives (talk) 10:50, 19 September 2008 (UTC) Looks like the person took this directly from the trivia section of Boogie Nights at IMDB.com. I wonder if IMDB.com really is reliable as a source as IMDB also has user generated content like wikipedia. It is trivia as all this is really unimportant because you really don't need to know about any of it when watching the movie. Azn Clayjar (talk) 06:42, 20 December 2008 (UTC)

• American singer/songwriter Tori Amos wrote a song called Amber Waves, which focuses on its theme of pornography. It appears on her album Scarlets Walk.

• at least 3 "active" actors (2 male, 1 female) of the porn business appear in small roles (may be uncredited) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.221.81.219 (talk) 17:38, 28 December 2010 (UTC)

Deleted scene

There are ten deleted scenes included in the DVD release of the film. Why is the one discussed in this article singled out? Why is there no mention and/or description of the other nine? Shouldn't the article refer to all of them or none at all? It seems rather subjective to select one and describe it in length and ignore the rest of them. 209.247.22.166 (talk) 14:27, 27 September 2008 (UTC)

Eddie & prostitution

I haven't watched this for a while, but I'm pretty sure that early on Eddie mistakes Jack's approach as him being a punter, and give him a price list - surely this qualifies as prostitution, ergo Eddie is indeed a male prostitute at the beginning of the film. IIRC this happens in the kitchen after Eddie is emptying a glasswasher, or some kind of similar machine. a_man_alone (talk) 16:08, 20 December 2010 (UTC)

This certainly happens. Eddie quotes Jack one price to see him masturbate and another to just look at it. This is apparently a regular occurence for Eddie. Format (talk) 18:38, 20 December 2010 (UTC)

I thought it did. I'll reword the plot summary. a_man_alone (talk) 20:47, 21 December 2010 (UTC)

John Holmes connection?

I think I've heard that Dirk Diggler is based on John Holmes. If it's true, should it be mentioned? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 213.122.45.199 (talk) 17:18, 30 April 2012 (UTC)

I'm pretty sure Holmes was a partial inspiration for the character, though I wouldn't go so far as to say "based on". That said, we can't include the information unless it comes from a reliable source. That said, I'm about 90%+ sure the DVD commentaries mention the connection. Doniago (talk) 18:33, 30 April 2012 (UTC)

There's no question that it's inspired by John Holmes: the penis size, the Johnny Wad-ish character, the drug addiction, gay prostitution, and the almost-but-not-quite Wonderland Murders are all from Holmes' life. The connection is mentioned in both the John Holmes and Wonderland Murders articles. The Holmes article has no citation (presumably because it's so obvious), while the WM article uses this. Just about every movie review mentions it, if those are considered reliable sources.Prebys (talk) 16:55, 26 June 2012 (UTC)

• I think that we should have a section on inspirations for the film, as there are a good many known elements of pornography and the adult film stars that were drawn upon for the movie but no actual section for them. Most of them are recorded in some place, such as the On the Prowl/Gillis inspiration. Tokyogirl79 (｡◕‿◕｡) 15:54, 17 December 2013 (UTC)

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Little Bill "Thompson"?

I am a newbie to editing Wikipedia, but I'm a Boogie Nights obsessive, and I've never encountered a last name for the character of Little Bill. It's in none of the versions of the script I own, nor does it appear in the end credits of the film. It seems to have first appeared in this edit: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Boogie_Nights&diff=prev&oldid=294700658 The spelling was later changed to "Thompson" (with a 'p').

What is required to 'remove' the last name from his character listing? I'm not sure how you would source something that 'doesn't exist' (ie, his last name). Wilberan (talk) 17:56, 6 August 2024 (UTC)