. Before 1999, my answer would've been totally different. Like most people my age I was and still am a Star Wars 
devotee and probably would've fallen on my lightsaber before saying anything other than The Empire Strikes Back
. But Boogie Nights was something that really grabbed me like no other movie has ever done, with Anderson's smooth camerawork and fanatical devotion to character, it was a complete revelation to me.The fact that it revolves around the porn industry is a big part of the reason why I dig this movie, but probably not for the reasons you think! What really caught me was how Anderson was able to take this subgroup of folks in an industry most people would prefer not be spotlighted, and show just how common these people's lives were. They had the same problems as everybody else. There's very little glitz and glamour to what they do. The sex isn't glorified, and what little fame these people do have is limited to their own circle of friends, or due to negative perceptions. They struggle with issues of identity and family the same as any other person would.
There are two scenes in the movie that I rewatch over and over again. One is the montage sequence in the middle, culminating in the awesome disco dance number(Heather Graham is spectacular on those roller skates). The other is the scene that kicks off the entire film. Utilizing the long take tracking shot that has become one of his staples, Anderson carries us through a typical night on the town for these characters in Reseda, CA. Basically we are following the supporting character, Maurice(Luis Guzman), a club owner and wannabe porn star as he mingles with the clientele. The brilliance of this scene isnt just the way it's shot, but that within the span of 3 minutes we know virtually everything we need to know about everybody. No need for awkward introductions, it's all laid out there for us in this one scene. We get a taste of the "fame" these folks experience, culminating with poor dishwasher, Eddie Adams(Mark Wahlberg), watching from afar at the life he desperately wants for himself.
I couldn't possibly start off this series with any other film or any other scene. Check out that clip from Boogie Nights below:
Not all of my intros will be this long, but Boogie Nights is a film I obviously have a lot of love for.
