MovieChat Forums > Boogie Nights (1997) Discussion > Does anyone know specifically what Burt ...

Does anyone know specifically what Burt Reynold’s problem with the film was?

posted 2 years ago by DancingintheDark (1715)
13 replies | jump to latest

I just don’t get it. I mean PTA is on record saying that Burt never really got what the film was about or what his role was supposed to be. Why take the role in the first place if there’s so much confusion as to his character, what role was he wanting to play? What was Burt’s problem? Why did he have a problem playing a reserved, sweet/caring father like character who for the most part was the only character in the film who seemed to have his shit together and was basically the selfless corner stone for all his friends and employees, and with the duality of being a successful porn producer/director/writer/film maker.
It sounds like a dream role, I mean it got the guy his first and only Oscar nom, and he arguably should have won imo.

[–] blue1981 (7943) 2 years ago

Every interview I've seen with him on YouTube up until right before he passed away he said he was uncomfortable being in a movie about the porn industry. I think he also might have had some distrust in Paul Thomas Anderson since he was so young when he made the movie. I don't know why he would have even taken the role but I think that's what made the movie difficult for him.

[–] DancingintheDark (1715) 2 years ago

That makes sense, thanks!

[–] blue1981 (7943) 2 years ago

Seeing this post today made me decide to watch Boogie Nights tonight. 😂 Its still so good and one of my favorite movie from the 90s.

[–] JosephQCat (706) 2 years ago

Burt's career then was not in the best condition then. Nobody was talking about him other than being the guy with a mustache in the Cannonball movies.

[–] StinkyPoopyPants (3140) 9 months ago

Interesting he would feel that way considering he posed nude for Playgirl back in the day.. 🤔

[–] Bucky (324) a month ago

Odd considering the movie gave the guy a career boost.

Some people take jobs because they need the money.

[–] e3e34ifj (1912) a year ago

I've read that Burt Reynolds was just very easily irritable on set and was really annoyed by a young PTA's happy-go-lucky, bright-eyed attitude. Like after every single take, PTA would get this big smile on his face and go "woow, wasn't that amazing?" and Burt would just roll his eyes and tell him to grow up. I personally would love to work with a director with that much passion, but Burt apparently was a more "shut up and get it done" kinda guy.

It was apparently a very similar situation to Wes Anderson and Gene Hackman on The Royal Tenembaums. Wes Anderson was this overly-optimistic fresh filmmaker who directed everything with a childlike wonder and it got on Gene Hackman's nerves.

[–] mikethemartian (6857) 7 months ago

That cheeriness would probably annoy me too but he is an excellent director.

[–] Druff (1808) a year ago

Frankly the more I see of Burt Reynolds via various interviews over the last several decades of his life, the stronger the impression I get that he was such a bona fide mega D-type personality down to his core, it just made him a miserable prick about pretty much everything.

[–] Elvisp23 (399) 7 months ago

Shame he wasn’t more like Jack Horner

[–] blue1981 (7943) 7 months ago

This infamous segment from the Tonight Show is comedy gold.
https://youtu.be/8X-L8z52v4M?si=lyHY44pdf3YRFofi

[–] Information-Police (4894) 3 months ago

Maybe because he had to say things like, "Aim it at her tits, Eddie".

[–] DancingintheDark (1715) 3 months ago

LOL