The Red Light Rules: Boogie Nights
I am so happy I finally watched this classic. From the minimal knowledge I had of the film I did not think it would score highly on our scale but it is our second 4/4 rating (Poor Things being the only other). Boogie Nights follows a boy named Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg) who dropped out of high school and works at a club frequented by notable adult film maker Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds) and his partner Amber Waves (Julianne Moore). From across the dancefloor, Jack notices Eddie and his very tight pants concealing his claim to fame. At first, when Jack approaches Eddie, he believes he's looking for a different kind of service that men have often approached him for. "Well if you want to see me jack off it's $10 but if you only want to look at it it's $5..." Eddie says. "Guys pay to watch you do they? Already done some?" asked Jack. "A couple times." Jack asks to get to know Eddie a little better, scouting him. But Eddie turns down his offer and decides to stay at his dishwashing job at the club. Only after a tryst with his girlfriend does he decide to use his ~gift~ and make a name for himself. He goes home and his abusive mother proceeds to kick him out for seeing his girlfriend at all hours and not coming home on time. Eddie then goes to Jack's house to talk to him about what it would take to become an actor in his films. He proceeds to show Jack ~his gift~ and Jack, Amber Waves, and Rollergirl (his scene partner) are all left completely awestruck. So begins the famed porn career of Dirk Diggler, Eddie's stage name which he insists on being called from then on out.
Since I was not a SWer in the late 70s/early 80s I can't say whether the film is an accurate portrayal of the porn industry at the time; however, I would like to point out that the industry (full service, porn, and all other facets) is consistently portrayed alongside heavy drug/substance use which is a stereotype that is not true of every single person involved. (I would also like to point out that from what i've seen and experienced there is MUCH more drug/substance use in the restaurant industry than any other industry.) Besides that facet of the film, I was entertained by the story and found the portrayal of the different ways people come to this work, remain in the work, and leave the work to be accurate.
The film highlights aspects of every performer's story– Amber Waves struggles with a custody battle for her son and the father of her son who believes that because she is in the porn industry, she is an unfit mother; Rollergirl ends up vindicated when she beats up the guy who used to make fun of her in high school (and who was an avid consumer of the content she made); two of the other performers end up marrying each other, starting a business and starting a family. Overall, the film shows that in the end, they can all rely on each other as chosen family and that those are the people who will accept you as you are, flaws and all. While some may choose to leave the industry, some may stay even though it isn't the life they want anymore, and some may try to reinvent themselves– you never forget the people who you know you can rely on without fear of judgement. The film ends not necessarily happily but it shows that we all make our choices and live with the outcomes until we decide to do something different.
"Been around this block twice now, looking for something... a clue. Been looking for clues and something led me back here."
– Mel
Boogie Nights scored 4/4 on The Red Light Rules™ test that assesses portrayals of sex work in film. We created 4 questions to determine this:
- Does the film show an understanding of choice, circumstance, and/or coercion? yes
- Does the SWer interact with another person in a positive manner unrelated to SW? yes
- Does the SWer have a storyline, hobby, or interest outside of SW? yes
- Does the film have a happy and/or non-traumatic ending for the SWer? yes
