Boogie Nights: Paul Thomas Anderson's Big Breakout Makes Its 4K Debut (4K)

The Film:

As writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson quickly approaches 30 years of making theatrical features, it really is quite something to look over what a strange & eccentric filmography he's created along the way, one that has thus far earned him a remarkable 11 Oscar nominations (though curiously no wins). In a career that's included some misses like "Inherent Vice" and "Licorice Pizza," to much stronger work like "There Will Be Blood" and "Magnolia," it's been truly fascinating to watch what unusual projects he decides to put his time into.

But how did it all get started? Well, technically that would be with his first film, "Hard Eight," from 1996, but the one that really put him on the map (and got him his first Oscar nod for Original Screenplay) was his second feature, "Boogie Nights," an intriguing tale of the adult film industry that featured one hell of an ensemble, a trait that his films would quickly become known for. As the film inches closer to its own 30th anniversary in a little more than a year, Warner Bros. is celebrating early by giving the film a stunning 4K upgrade and throwing in a bunch of extras, both new and old, so now it's time to go back and revisit a classic that truly marked the arrival of a unique voice in the industry.

Taking place in 1977 California, we primarily follow Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg), a high school dropout who lives with his parents and has a job as a dishwasher at a nightclub. It's here that he meets adult filmmaker Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds), who quickly takes an interest in the young man. After having a fight with his alcoholic mother, Eddie ends up moving into Jack's house and changing his name to Dirk Diggler as he starts working on his first film. His efforts quickly bring him massive success, which unfortunately leads to a regular use of cocaine, subsequently causing detrimental side effects to his performance, as well as wild mood swings that put his career in jeopardy. Will he be able to bounce back, or will all his success come crashing down around him as quickly as he achieved it?

For someone looking to break out in the industry, you would think that making a film that concentrates on the business of adult film might be a somewhat strange way to accomplish it, and yet, Paul Thomas Anderson weaves quite a fascinating tale of this young man who wants to be a big star, and the filmmaker who helps him get there. Granted, Eddie's/Dirk's character arc isn't filled with too many surprises, tracing a rather natural development that the viewer will likely be able to figure out well in advance, but that doesn't make the journey any less alluring as he goes about hitting the highs & lows of its progression.

While the narrative itself is decently engaging on its own, what really ends up grabbing the audience's attention here is the stunning ensemble that Anderson collected to bring the project to life, which includes multiple Oscar nominees like Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds (who got his nod for his incredible performance here), Julianne Moore (who also earned her first Oscar nomination for her role as another adult film star), John C. Reilly, Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, and Don Cheadle. With this much talent packed on the screen, and an intriguing, Oscar-nominated screenplay to work from, it's hardly a wonder why it's remained one of the filmmaker's most cherished works, despite the somewhat odd subject matter.

In the end, Paul Thomas Anderson's "Boogie Nights" is a strange, yet captivating journey that takes you on quite an unusual trip through a portion of the industry that most filmmakers likely wouldn't dare to make a film about. It's a compelling tale of dreams & ambition, told by a marvelous cast and a filmmaker who was just getting started in his remarkable career, and now that it's being upgraded to glorious 4K, it's the perfect time to revisit it to see where the popular auteur truly got his start.

Video/Audio:

"Boogie Nights" comes to 4K in a 2.39:1, 2160p Ultra High Definition transfer of marvelous quality. The new upgrade has cleaned up the film beautifully, presenting a sharp & clear picture throughout its entire 155-minute runtime that perfectly highlights its incredible period details. Likewise, the 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track is wonderful, giving you all of the dialogue, sound effects, and music in excellent quality. Overall, Warner Bros. has done an amazing job in both departments for the film's stunning 4K debut.

Special Features:

Commentary by Director Paul Thomas Anderson

Commentary by Cast Members Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly, Don Cheadle, Julianne Moore, William H. Macy, and Heather Graham

American Cinematheque Panels: Paul Thomas Anderson and John C. Reilly (25 Minutes), Paul Thomas Anderson (25 Minutes): A pair of panels that has Anderson and Reilly discussing & reminiscing about the film.

Additional Footage: The John C. Reilly Files (15 Minutes)

Deleted Scenes (10 Sequences, 30 Minutes)

Music Video: Try by Michael Penn (3 Minutes)

Conclusion:

Paul Thomas Anderson's "Boogie Nights" remains a captivating journey through the unusual business of the adult film industry, one that utilizes a marvelous ensemble packed with talent and an Oscar-nominated screenplay that showed that this young filmmaker had a knack for writing very early on, resulting in what has become one of the auteur's most cherished works.

Score: 3.5/5

Now available on 4K.

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