It's remarkable to think Paul Thomas Anderson had released his debut feature "Hard Eight" only a year before this epic look at the L.A. porn industry in the 1970s and 1980s.
"Boogie Nights," with its dazzling scope and multiple storylines, showed everyone that Anderson was on another level than most American directors.
Mark Wahlberg plays Dirk Diggler, a kid plucked from obscurity by porn-director legend Jack Horner (an Oscar-nominated performance by Burt Reynolds) who becomes a huge star.
However, the fame gets to his head, leading to a downfall as sudden as his rise.
The movie also showcases the talents of several actors who would continue to work with Anderson, including John C. Reilly, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and William H. Macy.