Tom Hanks is famous for both severe and comedic roles. He’s an easily recognizable global movie star and an iconic figure in American culture. Watching Tom Hanks on screen gives a sense of authenticity to most viewers because he possesses a unique believability in Hollywood.

Tom Hanks in Philadelphia

Tom Hanks in Philadelphia
From Andy Beckett in Philadelphia to Forrest Gump in Forrest Gump and Captain John Miller in Saving Private Ryan, Tom Hanks has undoubtedly portrayed some legendary roles throughout his acting career.

While Hanks himself has portrayed some of the iconic characters, there is a movie that he cherishes for life. He loves that movie not because of its charismatic characters but because of its raw, gritty exploration of an industry far from Hollywood’s polished mask – the p*rn industry.

Mark Wahlberg’s Movie Boogie Nights Earn Praise as a Revelation from Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks
In an interview with German publication Bild, Hanks expressed his admiration for the 1997 film Boogie Nights, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. This exploration of the 1970s “Golden Age” of the p*rn industry isn’t the usual type of movie in Tom Hanks‘ personal preferences. He said:
“That film was a revelation for me.”
Boogie Nights is an American 1997 period comedy-drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. The movie explores the ups and downs of the p*rn industry, delving into the ordinary lives of its hardworking individuals and the lavish lifestyles they enjoyed during their success.

Anderson’s film features Mark Wahlberg as the fictional character Dirk Diggler, inspired by the real-life ‘King of P*rn’ John Holmes. The movie explores the complex dynamics of the period and provides an unfiltered portrayal of the character’s rise and eventual downfall. It also exposes the darker reality of the industry, involving topics like suicide, armed robberies, and the devastating impact of AIDS within the community.

 

 

What was Tom Hanks’ Revelation Upon Watching Boogie Nights?

Mark Wahlberg in Boogie Nights
Mark Wahlberg in Boogie Nights
Although not specified, the revelation Hanks discussed could refer to various aspects. Maybe he was addressing Anderson’s talent for delving into subjects usually treated with bias or sensationalism, instead presenting them with unexpected depth, sophistication, and human understanding. Maybe it’s how the filmmaker captured 1970s California, a period and location familiar to Hanks.

It’s also possible that Hanks connects with Boogie Nights due to its resemblance to his own career, as the film affirms cinema’s ability to humanize, foster empathy, and provide a platform for those who have long remained voiceless.

The point to note is that the anticipated movie Men in Black was released the same year as Hanks’ revelation movie – Boogie Nights. The movie was the chemistry between Jones and Smith is what makes this movie fun to watch. But still, he picks Boogie Nights as his ultimate preference.

 

Source: Far Out