Released in 1997 and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, Boogie Nights follows the rise of porn star Dirk Diggler from his beginnings as a dish washer, to becoming the biggest adult film star of the 70’s and 80’s. The film explores themes of Family and belonging, creativity and being an artist, through both Dirk’s journey and the interactions of the other characters.
In the film, Dirk Diggler starts his journey as Eddie Adams, a dish washer in a night club where one of the club’s patron’s, Jack Horner with his wife Amber Waves, a pornographer and porn star, seek to recruit Dirk for their films.
Being 17, Dirk’s home life isn’t kosher, with an abusive mother and all but absent father, Dirk is kicked out of home by his mother, he then seeks out Jack Horner as an only option.
There are situations and moments in people’s lives where they are just the right fit for their endeavours, and Dirk is equipped appropriately for his rise in the adult film industry. He is an instant star and is welcomed into the close-knit group of pornographers and porn stars, where he is nurtured and set to become its biggest star.
Roller Girl, Reed Rothchild, Buck, Scotty, and Little Bill are a few of the eclectic characters that welcome Dirk into the lifestyle, and guided by Jack Horner and Amber waves as kind of father and mother figures, the group make their art with Dirks impending impact on the world. Everything the characters do is done as a group and there are few outsiders in the process, and this is how the taboo lifestyle is normalized.
Dirk’s films are a hit, and with accolades and awards, he and Reed create a couple of characters where they assume roles under already fictionalized identities, so it’s like characters playing characters. Which is also a hit and money maker for Jack Horner.
At the turn of the decade from the 70’s to 80’s things are looking up; life is plentiful and good and there seems no end to the success that Dirk brings. But the coming of the 80’s also coincides with influx of a lot of drugs, cocaine being chief among them, and the characters indulge with a seeming endless supply.
But the good time can’t last forever and with the combination of money, drugs, and success, ego’s get in the way of creativity, and Dirk finds himself becoming a sort of inebriated Prima donna, insecure of his position and role amid the influx of new adult talent.
Ego’s flare, and angry words are spoken, and Dirk is cast out of the family unit, taking Reed with him and the two attempt to fulfil creative urges as musicians. But this road doesn’t bare any fruit and they are both soon left with no outs, nurturing drug habits with little to no money left in their name.
In awkward fashion, with the help of an acquaintance, Dirk and Reed reluctantly attempt to scam a coke dealer which goes bad, people are killed and Dirk seemingly hits rock bottom, where he returns to Jack a broken person, and is welcomed back into the family unit once again.