Brandon at Random Reviews

***I cannot stress this enough, none of the content of this post is intended to be a double entendre. All potentially sexual sounding phrases are purely coincidental.***

Once in a great while, along comes something a little different, that exposes itself to an entirely unsuspecting audience in Hollywood. A lot of living legends want to sign on, several then unknown up-and-comers will get their first notable role on-screen, and for a former one-hit wonder rapper it becomes his breakout lead acting role when he is thrust onto the screen.

The story here is a unique (to my knowledge) and compelling grown-up drama. Set at least initially in the 1970s, the story follows a young man’s experience with gaining fame in the adult film industry which was then growing to an unforeseen level of popularity. We see the swinging back and forth and ups and downs over the course of the career Mark Wahlberg’s character Dirk erects before our very eye(s). The downsides to the industry revealed here include but are not limited to: money, drugs, showing of your enormous penis on the spot to complete strangers who then stare blankly for an extended period of time, and prostitution, among others of course. There is quite a lengthy list.

The soundtrack to this film might be the best ever concocted for any movie I know of with the exception of Forrest Gump and that’s really fucking saying something. It seems like every scene is kicked off by, or at least contains, an amazing hit song and it typically provides a reference for what era the scene takes place in or helps illustrate and enhance the story. I especially enjoy the scene with the song “Sister Christian” by Night Ranger is played during a pivotal moment where our main character’s fate dangles in the balance.

The cinematography is pretty stellar here, there are a lot of cool and unconventional shots to lend perspective for what our characters are really experiencing and helps establish important moments. We get to see some footage as viewers that is intended to serve as the movie’s actual adult film(s) if that makes sense. It’s made to look like the actual pornographic films being made fictionally by the character in the movie when you’re watching it through production quality and aspect ratio.

The cast includes of course Mark Wahlberg in the lead role as Dirk Diggler, with all-star support from Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, Heather Graham, John C. Reilly, Don Cheadle, William H. Macy, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Luis Guzmán, and it features many real-live adult film stars, which is a nice touch, but wholly unnecessary. The cast works well together and performs with great stamina over the 156 minute runtime. The acting is superb across the board, especially at the climax. However, one might argue there are multiple climaxes seen on-screen.

This has been recently added to HBO Max, don’t hesitate to experience this on a whole new level, especially if it’s your first time. There’s a lot of nudity in this movie, if that’s your thing. If that helps sell you on it. I mean it’s good without it, but you know, whatever makes you wanna watch it you perv.

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