Boogie Nights

A detailed Summary of Boogie Nights

The film, Boogie Nights, is film about the pornography business in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Through this industry we meet many different characters going through varying problems. This paper will show that although most of the film follows the career of a young man embarking on a career as a porn actor, this serves as a vehicle for a story about the importance and complications of family. While blood is of no importance in this family setting, the bonds that these characters make with each other rivals any family. This combined with the identity crisis of the time period is the basis for this very well made film.

The setting is of particular importance at the beginning of the film. Dirk Diggler, or Eddie, as he was referred to at the beginning of the film, lived at home with his two parents in a suburb south of Los Angeles, Torrance, California. Living in the suburbs would be of no importance if one did not know the referential meaning of typical suburban life. Suburban families are usually thought of as being ideal, loving, nuclear families where the mom stays home to take care of the house and family while the father goes to work to make money. This concept is played upon in the

Because Jack is Dirk's boss as well as his friend and father figure, their relationship is a little bit more intricate than his relationship with Amber. During one of their first conversations Jack reveals to Dirk his dream of making quality films with good storylines. This becomes a bond between the two men and a shared goal for filmmaking, as well as a "family" business. With Dirk as the star, Jack's films end up becoming the true works of art that the two had dreamt of making. The relationship between the two men was solid until Jack started hiring new male actors. This turned out to have the same affect on Dirk as a new baby sibling would have on a former youngest child. Dirk's jealousy, combined with his developing cocaine addiction culminated in a blowout between Dirk and Jack. While Dirk wanted to film his scene at the very moment he was ready, Jack wanted to wait another twenty minutes. Normally this would not be a problem for Dirk, for he was known for his ability to ready himself for a scene at the drop of a hat, however with his growing cocaine problem things were not as easy as they once had been. Instead of treating Jack with the respect that he had given him at the beginning of their relationship, Dirk spoke down to him like he was Jack's boss. The two of them had a screaming argument like a parent and a teenager who thinks he knows everything, even getting to the point where Dirk tells Jack that he doesn't need his help because he is the star. After Dirk is kicked out of the house and their relationship is broken, he continues to act like a know-it-all teenager by attempting a talentless, coked up music career.

Within Eddie's new family, everyone seems to have well-established roles. The first of these roles, played by one of the female porn stars, Amber Waves. Amber is Jack Horner's girlfriend and not only acts like a wife to Jack, but also as a mother to both Dirk Diggler (Eddie's new porn name) and Roller Girl. Amber's need to be a mother figure becomes apparent on Dirk's first visit to Jack's house. Before going to bed she comes in and kisses him goodnight. As she walks away, Jack even makes a comment about her being a great mother. Her role continues as a nurturer

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Approximate Word count = 1495
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Movies