Boogie Nights (DVD)

by Frenchie.

Ahh Boogie Nights, the best American film that I have seen in many years. Why is it so good? Because it is so French! This film, for it is a film and not what you Americans call movies today, shows the joys and heartaches of the one true subject, love. It is not just sex, although the sex is nice, that is going on in this house, but familial love, and one that does not understand that should be pitied.

Many American films take longer to get to France than they should. This is one of them. With characters as textured as those of Renoir or Ophuls, this PT Anderson boy creates a world which embraces love, rather than denounces it like all Americans. I say that Anderson understands the crucial things in life very early, so I very much look forward to his next work.

I have known many women in my day, and therefore I am the person to say that this film is genius. From the exotic locale of the San Fernardo Valley to the costumes to the music that, although it is gawdy and horrible (like all American music), fits the scenes perfectly. Very often period pieces will date less quickly. I say that this film will not date at all, not because of the period but because of the eternal themes talked about.

Each actor does his job very well, with exception of Burt Reynolds who acts like he does not want to be there. He is still adequate though, and delivers a convincing performance. Anderson also shows style, with many meaningful camera movements and close ups. These flairs are not for nothing though, as they help tell the story (something many directors forget to do). The film lives and breathes, unlike everything else put out in America.

Thanks to le père noël, I have in my things the DVD for this artful film. I usually do not listen to creator's comments on film, because very often they cannot distinguish art from a moldy brie, but I felt compelled to listen to both "tracks" for Boogie Nights. One is very informative and proves that PT Anderson is not a baboon, and the other is perhaps just as humourous as the film itself (although that is not possible). There are also scenes which were undoubtedly cut by front office men with no eye for art but thankfully saved by the artist himself. These have director's comments as well, which are nice.

There is also a thing where an actor by the name of John C. Reilly has some fun. It is clear to me that this actor is one of genius, and if he lived here he would be very famous because his face is very interesting. However, since he is living in America, I am sure he is not known. There is one other thing which I will not talk about, although it is very impressive indeed.

Although DVDs are still infants in France, I am very happy that someone saw to it to make this film into one.

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