Boogie Nights

Four stars. Recommended.

The rise and fall of porn star Dirk Diggler. It's a funny, sad, and sympathetic look at the fragile lives and egos of an group of hopeful, sad, and ambitious characters. The plot might be on the predictable side, but it is well executed. The way the early 1980s setting is played for laughs softens the harsh emotional roller coaster the characters find themselves on, and the overall effect is one of amused compassion. A well-rounded, and interesting film.