MovieChat Forums > Boogie Nights (1997) Discussion > Nina Hartley being in the film kinda rui...

Nina Hartley being in the film kinda ruins the mystique of Boogie Nights

posted 9 years ago by polet_bally
10 replies | jump to latest

The first time I saw it a long time ago, I didn't know what to make of it. I wasn't sure whether Boogie Nights was glorifying porn, whether it was anti-porn or just playing on people's stereo type views of that profession/lifestyle/era. But after I learned that real life porn star Nina Hartley had a small role in the movie as Little Bill's wife, it kind of made the movie a little less debatable. I don't think she was bad in it, but I think that casting her was a bad idea for this reason.

[–] silver_snail14 9 years ago

I don't really get what you mean. I never really saw the film as a glorification or an indictment of the porn industry. It's just a story about several damaged individuals finding acceptance and love in a twisted and depraved world. If anything, casting Nina Hartley added more credibility to the film. I'm pretty sure she served a consultant on the film as well (as did Veronica Hart, a former porn actress and director who briefly appears in the film as a judge).

"Barker, that is not your boyfriend's dick. Do not come early."

[–] nutmustardxx 8 years ago

She is ok...buT she way overacts, and is almost mocking the fact she's in the movie. I didn't care for her even in her prime, the 2 girls in Jack's jacuzzi though..now they weRe hott

[–] machys 9 years ago

I think when you reflect back on the story arc of its characters, boogie nights certainly does not glorify the porn industry.

...For your health.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] shibez 9 years ago

I think she played the role perfect to be honest. She was also one the most memorable characters in the film next to Scotty.

👽

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] pillfeast 8 years ago

She's not the only one, there are quite a few pornstars who have cameos.

Mystique... shredded...

[–] kjmacdonald 8 years ago

That I recall, there were people in the porn industry upset with Nina for doing this movie. Some felt it was an unfair, inaccurate portrayal of the industry and she was turning her back on her community. Personally, I don't see it that way. It's a dramatization; nothing more. But I can certainly understand why some in the porn community might feel betrayed.

As for the decision to cast an actual porn star in this movie, I liked it. It felt authentic to me. But I don't see this as an anti-porn film at all. It's not a pro-porn film either.

[–] franzkabuki 7 years ago

Unfair and inaccurate? If anything, the film is more like sugar coating things, especially the people involved as most of whom are depicted as emotionally innocent dumbasses. What better comparison than that of Diggler and his apparent "prototype" John Holmes - Diggler may have developed a streak of arrogance as well as a bad drug habit, but Holmes was much worse - a thief, a burglar and a pathological liar.

"facts are stupid things" Ronald Reagan

[–] saint-21 7 years ago

I read an interview with nina and she says she felt the film was off by the point of these people only worked and did work for jack, which in reality, they worked with lots of different directors and could have worked with other people. The movie never got into that, they kept it simple. I also felt one major goof (correct me if iam off on this)) Was that scene with the 2 girls in the hot tub (scene takes place in 1983))) There were no implants like the one girl had in porn in 83. In reality. most girls in porn were kinda flat. They could have found someone with naturals to do that scene. they weren't thinking..