As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich and vibrant worlds created by Paul Thomas Anderson, I can confidently say that his work is nothing short of extraordinary. His ability to transport us to specific times and places with such vivid detail is truly unparalleled.
Paul Thomas Anderson, one of the most respected auteur directors in the last three decades, has an exceptional ability to immerse viewers into his films. Whether he portrays modern tales in movies like Magnolia and Punch Drunk Love , or period pieces such as The Master, There Will Be Blood, Phantom Thread, and others, only a few directors can create such a tangible sense of time and location. Anderson’s skillful writing, detailed costume and set design, seamless cinematography, and exceptional acting performances under his guidance often make historical periods feel more real than those presented by other filmmakers.
So far, Paul Thomas Anderson has written and directed three movies that take place in the 1970s, each capturing a decade filled with significant change and tumult. All of them are highly suggested, but Boogie Nights and Inherent Vice stand out as they can be found on Max. These films are particularly noteworthy for the way Anderson masterfully conveys the aesthetic of the 1970s. It’s worth mentioning that Anderson seems to excel at crafting compelling cinematic tales set in the past, whether he’s adapting a novel or writing an original screenplay.
What Is Boogie Nights About?
Paul Thomas Anderson kick-started his filmmaking journey in the late 1980s with a short movie titled “The Dirk Diggler Story“. This 32-minute production offers a glimpse into the tumultuous life of Dirk Diggler, an aspiring adult film star in the San Fernando Valley during the late 70’s. Remarkably, this short laid the foundation for Anderson’s second full-length film, “Boogie Nights“, a vibrant, period piece filled with an exceptional ensemble of budding actors. Notably, “Boogie Nights” was produced following “Sydney“, also known as “Hard Eight“, a crime-thriller featuring the talented cast members John C. Reilly, Philip Baker Hall, and the late, esteemed Philip Seymour Hoffman.
In a blend of stylish entertainment, period tunes from the ’70s, and intensely sensual performances, the movie Boogie Nights, unfolds the intricate tale of Dirk Diggler’s rise and descent from an amateur porn star in the San Fernando Valley. Despite initial interest in Leonardo DiCaprio for the role, he suggested his friend and co-star from The Basketball Diaries, Mark Wahlberg, who was eventually cast as Dirk Diggler. However, it’s not just Wahlberg’s impressive portrayal of Diggler that makes the movie memorable; it’s also the outstanding ensemble cast featuring Hoffman, Reilly, Hall, Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, Don Cheadle, Heather Graham, William H. Macy, Ricky Jay, Luis Guzman, and many others.
As Dirk transitions from innocent enthusiasm to self-centered fame, he overlooks life’s fundamental values. He distances himself from his girlfriend and is rejected by his mother, seeking solace in Jack Horner (Reynolds), a stand-in father figure, and Amber Waves (Moore), a substitute mother, in the adult film industry. As the 1980s draw near, Dirk’s life becomes clouded with alcohol and drugs. With the shift in the porn industry from costly celluloid to cheap video production, Diggler grapples to find purpose and joy amidst a crowd of troubled individuals.
The film “Boogie Nights” earned three Oscar nominations, with nods going to Reynolds and Moore for their supporting acting performances, as well as Paul Thomas Anderson for Best Original Screenplay. The intricate details of the ’70s era were acknowledged, from the period-appropriate soundtrack featuring funk, disco, and rock, to the vibrant costumes, set design, and overall atmosphere. As audiences immerse themselves in the film, they are transported back to sunny Los Angeles in 1977. Scenes like Dirk driving his fiery red 1977 Corvette or Roller Girl (Graham) skating through the frame on rollerskates capture the essence of the decade that Anderson, born in that same era, holds dear.
What Is Inherent Vice About?
17 years following “Boogie Nights,” Anderson took the helm for the critically-acclaimed film adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s 2009 novel, “Inherent Vice.” While Anderson didn’t create the original story, his knack for breathing life into 1970s Los Angeles is every bit as palpable and vibrant as in “Boogie Nights.” The intricate yet intentionally confusing plot revolves around Larry “Doc” Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix), a laid-back pothead private investigator, who’s on the hunt for his missing ex-girlfriend. This case intertwines with two other cases involving missing persons, sending Doc on an exhilarating chase across Los Angeles during the Vietnam War era, the height of the Civil Rights movement, and the psychedelic counterculture.
In creating the adaptation of the 1970s novel, Paul Thomas Anderson infused the spirit of a laid-back stoner buddy movie reminiscent of Cheech & Chong, blending it with the ambiance of ’70s detective films like The Long Goodbye. Instead of focusing heavily on the main plot and its resolution, he offered viewers an engaging atmosphere that showcased the intricate details of Los Angeles during that period. Compared to Boogie Nights, which was characterized by vibrant, flashy colors due to disco, Inherent Vice is bathed in subdued earth tones, grays, browns, and tans. Furthermore, Anderson employed close-up camera work in the movie, mimicking filmmaking styles from the era.
Sonically, the film Inherent Vice swaps out the catchy pop-rock soundtrack of Boogie Nights for a more gentle surf-rock atmosphere that heightens the authentic 1970s setting that Paul Thomas Anderson aims to capture. In terms of plot, the mysteries that Doc gets involved in become increasingly bizarre and confusing, making the overall experience less about reaching a resolution than it is about enjoying the ride. The movie takes on the feel of a humorous detective farce, similar to The Big Lebowski, another offspring of Robert Altman’s The Long Goodbye. Despite its leisurely and dreamy investigation, Inherent Vice is a brilliant depiction of Los Angeles’ counterculture in the 1970s. Both Boogie Nights and Inherent Vice are essential viewings on HBO Max, as they provide valuable insights into Paul Thomas Anderson’s future period films.
PTA’s Next Period Piece, Explained
Following his successful debut in adapting a Thomas Pynchon novel, it’s whispered that PTA might be taking on the challenge of adapting “Vineland,” which was published by Pynchon in 1990 as his next venture. Initially, PTA had intended to adapt “Vineland” before he worked on “Inherent Vice,” but he found it challenging to bring the intricate, multi-narrative tale to life on screen. The story takes place in California in 1984 and includes several flashbacks that intertwine various storylines from the 1960s with Ronald Reagan’s re-election campaign, offering a glimpse of how the U.S. War on Drugs suppressed the free spirit of the counterculture movement during the ’60s and ’70s.
Titled tentatively as “The Battle of Baktan Cross“, Paul Thomas Anderson’s film adaptation is bringing together the acclaimed director with Leonardo DiCaprio, nearly three decades since their intended collaboration for “Boogie Nights“. Although not officially confirmed, it’s widely believed that DiCaprio will portray Zoyd Wheeler, the central figure in Vineland who exposes a D.E.A. conspiracy. Joaquin Phoenix was initially cast for DiCaprio’s role in Anderson’s upcoming period piece but had to withdraw, which has been a recurring issue for the Oscar winner following his sudden departure from Todd Haynes’ last production at the last minute.
To help capture the visual aesthetic of the period, PTA shot the entire film using VistaVision, a camera film format created by Paramount Pictures in 1954 to combat the popularity of television. VistaVision features a wider screen and a higher resolution version of the 35mm format. The result is a smoother, finer-looking appearance. Ambitiously, The Battle of Baktan Cross is the first American film to be shot entirely in VistaVision since Marlon Brando’s One-Eyed Jacks in 1961.
As a movie enthusiast, I find few directors who can immerse me in a particular era as profoundly as Paul Thomas Anderson. By skillfully incorporating music, fashion, costumes, and colors from the period, he sets the scene perfectly. But what truly sets him apart is his masterful use of technology that was popular during the time, making it clear why he stands head and shoulders above others in filmmaking in 2024.
Boogie Nights & Inherent Vice are available to stream on Max.
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2024-09-04 02:01