Originally published on October 16, 1997
In the press kit for Boogie Nights, Mark Wahlberg informs us, “I put the script down and thought, ‘Well, this guy is a genius.'” Newsweek speaks of “A filmmaker with an enormous talent for making movies”; Filmmaker calls the movie “a virtuoso accomplishment.” Perhaps it’s Oscar time for Marky Mark, whisper others. Behind it all, the prodigal director: Paul Anderson, 26-year-old genius. Jesus Christ, what a sad nation.
Boogie Nights tells the story of lonely dreamer Eddie Addams (Wahlberg), a boy with little more than a huge cock to guide him through life. No less an authority than his mother tells us he’s stupid, in case we’d had doubts. But Eddie is a tragic hero: he’ll be someone, you just wait.