This was a very important scene, as it basically symbolizes the end for not only him, but Dirks career, and the end of the golden era of the adult film industry
This scene was incredible. All in one shot. From Macy's emotion, to him walking to and from the car, to the music building up and finally the ending. Every time I see this I'm still shocked.
@@mperrotti76 Why tf, did they tamper with a classic? And where was the shot of Nina Hartley, his wife? I hate it when they pull shit like this. Same thing with the original Bad Lieutenant with Harvey Keitel. I had to seek out the original nc17. Netflix. What a joke.
I remember being impacted by this scene the most out of any other in the movie. Mainly because he seemed really out of place in that world and was there to be taken advantage of. He was probably the most innocent and pure hearted person up until the murder. I was 18 and remember thinking as the takeaway, "how do you stay kind in life without becoming that oppressed?". Don Cheadle's character seemed like the only other genuinely kind person, but for some reason people didn't walk all over him.That's how life goes sometimes.
Absolutely, dear Mike-descended-of-Post ... there was the 'most pure hearted' character you spoke of ... and Don's character that just seems 'confused and finding himself' through his active imagination and general 'nice-guy-ness'. I can only agree with you emphatically on your comment!!!
The only guy who never seemed to really have anything bad happen to him was cameraman Kurt Longjohn (Ricky Jay). Everyone else had the rug pulled out from them in one form or another over the years (and more than once!), but he came out relatively unscathed. He had the thankless chore of doing the quality-control when they went to videotape (when he sighs "It is what it is!"), but that was about it.
Nice touch at the end of the film when Jack Horner is walking around the house and there is a portrait of bill hanging on the same wall where bill blew his brains out
This was the point in the movie where everything started going to complete shit for everyone. This scene really hit me hard because you knew Little Bill was loved by everyone as he was just very charismatic and chill. He had bottled up a lot of intense emotions about his wife's continued infidelity which finally reached a climax before she did.
I believe the murder/suicide scene was an on screen way to let the audience know that the good times are over. Afterwards the movie gets darker and more depressing as the character’s lives start to spiral down.
People who have committed suicide in front of witnesses have been observed to do routine things in the moments leading to their suicide, almost as if they’re completely on auto pilot, things like taking shoes off coming indoors somewhere, brushing their teeth moments before shooting themselves in the head, closing a door behind them so no one will have to see. It’s odd and yeah it can be definitely taken down the road of dark humor
chazbukowski hence the term “you can’t turn a hoe into a housewife” little Bill was a good guy yet he made the wrong choice,no one forced him to marry her nor kill her even. He made that choice w/the end results.
@chazbukowski I thought that also when I first saw it. Most guys fantasy is to be with a porn star but they don't understand is you have to let your emotions go and not get attracted to her.
That smile on his face right before he puts the gun in his mouth. Bill felt good killing them (probably the only time he felt in control and powerful the entire movie)
Paul Thomas Anderson is genius film maker. Using this particular song to build tension towards the suicide scene. Also extremely well-acted by William H. Macy. You can see the depression and despair written all over his face without him barely saying a word.
I was amazed by Macy's acting in this scene and loved the details of him still locking up his station wagon after retrieving the gun and ammo knowing full well what he was going to do with them.
That haunting little grin before he does it. It falls somewhere between "Go in the back room...you'll see why I did it" and "Well, might as well finish the job!".
No the grin was more like, "What a relief, it was good to finally get that weight off my shoulders and express my true discontent with all the disrespect. Now just one more thing left to do. Happy New Year's phuckers."
I had the honor of shaking Macy's hand at a film festival back in 2013 and got to tell him he was awesome as Little Bill. Best suicide in a movie. He smiled and thanked me 😆
@@sitdowndogbreath This has nothing to do with feminism. Simply look at American genealogy and you will find this type of thing been going on since and before Colonial Times.
For the character of Little Bill, his wife's latest indiscretion was the final straw of humiliation for him. Loving a woman and knowing full well that she was sleeping around with other men finally chipped away at his last shred of dignity and self respect. You can see in that moment as he's walking back to the car to get his gun that he has been pushed beyond the point of no return..... Not that murder is the right thing to do mind you! Kudos to William H Macy's brilliant work......
I was nearly pushed to that point. Instead, I packed my shit, including the gun I damn near used, and left that town forever. It was a very close call, glad I made the right choice.
He got nominated for Fargo the year before, funnily enough Boogie Nights was the first script that came to him afterwards and he thought his agent was joking with him given how explicit the original draft was before they told him New Line were going to tone it down and keep it under 3 hours. It was in a film page’s interview with him and they even asked him about the complete mangling of his line “My wife has an ass in her cock!” that PTA left in!
0:55 - You can see it start to dawn on Little Bill's face - "Don't even tell me she's....." and then he heads right for a bedroom. Great performance by William Macy.
I feel sorry for Bill. Usually marriage should be joyful but it ended up destroying him because his wife really never gave a shit about him and he actually seemed to love her at one point.
@Reluctant Human And your secret power is... misogyny! Congratulations! You're a real superhero now, Timmy! (Seriously, there are actually some pleasant women in the world. I even know some. They're not all cancerous, gold-digging, emasculating shrews. Maybe... get out more?)
The director made a commentary about this scene and was glad that audiences shut up really quick about Little Bill's death because you like the character and what he's doing even though he commits suicide
All in one shot. You can see this technique a few times during the movie: The opening sequence, the pool party, etc. Great. The death of Little Bill is the sign that the "Golden Era Of Porn" (the Seventies) are over, and the Eighties are beginning. A bad omen.
Not exactly fully in one shot. When little Bill shoots his wife there is a cut to the rest of the party. But still a great long shot none the less. Actually my favorite thing about this long shot is the other things that could be missed if not looked for. For example when little Bill is walking to his car we see Gandolini and his "Hot bed of fucking action" kids leaving the party at 1:52 to 1:55, then a few seconds later when little Bill gets his gun out of the car and closes the door, in the background Scotty, after saying "I'm a fuckin idiot", is getting out of his orange Camaro 2:18 to 2:21 and going back to the party.
@@shrapnel77Bobby. EXACTLY. "I didn't want to cause any problems" mf what exactly so you think you're doing hiding it and inviting her in the first place? Let people handle their business, don't make it about you.
I always liked when she snaps that photo of him as he's walking through the house. I imagine they'd look at that photo a lot afterwards. Taken seconds before his death.
@@75aces97 Nice job missing the point of the joke in the comment. The murder suicide happened at midnight and the comment asked about what else happened at the party.
I like how they make sure to include the picture of Little Bill in the end scene on the wall as if he's still a part of their family and has stayed with them throughout the years.
Probably was cheaper than having to get the blood completely out and the wall repainted not to mention having to patch up the bullet hole that was no doubt left as well. Lol
@@stacksgillespie1818 In this scene, I don't think having her name in his mouth was the issue. Other things in his mouth, maybe. Kinda like August did.
When they originally shot this scene they showed the two lovers getting their brains blown out. Good that they cut that because it would have lessened the impact of Bill blasting his own brains out.
TheStewieOne Actually it's the women who kill themselves by cheating on their husbands. If they don't like their husbands then they should just divorce.
This movie takes place in the porn industry which essentially shows the alternative lifestyles of these people. Little Bill does what he feels is right for him but its kind of stupid. Oh my goodness your wife in the porn industry has sex with lots of men? The hell you say!
subsamadhi I don't remember her working in the porn industry. Her husband did. If she actually worked in porn, she shouldn't be fucking all the time outside of the job. In addition, if she works in porn she should practice sex with her husband. Women will use any excuse to cheat on their husbands. "Oh, he's not noticing me at every single moment of his existence." "He's too busy at work providing for my lazy ass." "We work in porn, so that means it's ok for me to cheat on him by fucking men outside of the actual pornographic job."
subsamadhi You wouldn't know the high range of emotion without having been in the situation yourself. Perhaps he could've calculated his murder and made it look like an accident but who could possibly resist doing something stupid in that emotionally hideous moment?
Wow. Excellent question. Im thinking 1/1/80 But just by a hair. The wife was shot in the middle of the countdown. Then he took another 30 to 60 seconds to walk into the room and shoot.
The wood panel station wagon is a great metaphor for how out of place Bill seems in that environment, way more Middle America reliable than West Coast cool. I am also haunted by the way he closes the glove box and locks the car door, I can't decide if it was just routine, if it shows how he really didn't trust the people he worked with, or if he was undecided if he would be coming back or not
I think the turning point was that she was no longer doing it for the spectacle. Previously she'd been doing it with a crowd watching, but this time it was just her in the back room with another man. I think Macy overlooked it when it was for show, but now that she was just doing it on the side, he'd had enough.
@@Retro-Future-Land Could have been three shots into the wall. The movie is about an industry that films people having sex. Maybe there was a cameraman.
this must be a master piece, i mean it, never get tired of this film and have the greatest perfomances i ever seen in my short life, loved this film, Mark Whalberg deserves an oscar for his perfomance...
@@imaouima yep two before the countdown finish for the new year (1980) hence why they died in the 1970s (year 1979). Then one who shot himself after the countdown finished meaning it was now the new year 1980.
I'm sure the characters did, just off-screen...and remember..this was 1970's California: Frankly, it may NOT be the most horrifying thing a lot of them had seen
To constantly talk about it would probably have driven them crazier with guilt earlier. Everyone loved Bill they just thought he was super laid back and open with his wife, they had no real idea of how much it actually hurt him let alone the verbal humiliation and outright lack of any respect she had for him. Granted Bill needed to put those issues out there and not simply be nicer as a coping mechanism
I remember watching this the first time and remembering: "This is how you say 'The party's over'' while telling a story on screen. And just before that, the scene that made Philip Seymour Hoffman, these two were the most memorable scenes.
citizenbobx Definitely. Before this scene the movie was pretty lighthearted and fun but after the whole tone shifts into something way darker. It lets you know that the party’s over and all the characters are gonna start facing the consequences of the lifestyle they’ve chosen
This flick does that very well w Amber Waves in particular. They show her at the child custody hearing and the judge asks when she was last arrested and what the charges were. Cut to her sobbing in front of a brick wall while people pass by. Ouch.
@@brinsonharris9816 YES!! It’s a brilliant bit of editing and minimising exposition in that one shot you see her composed when she’s asked when she was arrested before cutting to the next shot outside where she’s sobbing uncontrollably having lost the custody of her biological son.
I like how Jack ended up putting a nice pairing of Little Bill in his house years later, and it appears he hung it in the exact same spot Bill blew his brains out on the wall.
I’m glad I’ve never seen this movie. Nor would I be inclined to. Although I was in my 20s during the 1970s, this “boogie nights” disco era was waay after my time, thankfully!
Sure they both covered their point of topic, being the mob life and the porn industry life, but common dude Goodfellas is way better and more entertaining hands down
This scene best demonstrate the concept of "Its all really just fun and games until...." First nobody, even the audience really empathizes with bill. The idea that he has to watch his wife get fucked around even on a driveway is funny to everyone. Not even the audience would think that this is emotionally scarring for little bill. Why? Because like all the characters, we are all mesmerized by the carefree lifestyles they have. When the movie begins, there is so much optimism, feel-good music, positive outlook on the porn industry. Then we transition to the characters living in their primes, enjoying the best of times, achieving celebrity status for performing and filming sex acts. Its all really fun and games. Its only until we get to this scene when we realize just how filthy, and dark the pornography business is. We all saw them have a life because of pornography, but at the same time from here on we get to see how their lives will be taken from them because of it.
Bill ULTIMATE 70'S dude! Takes himself out six seconds after and of the decade! He so regretted not shooting just a bit sooner. Ultimate 70s man now has a 1980 on his tombstone.
I never noticed that he fires three shots total, beginning exactly on the 3-count of the new year - two of them happen on the 2 count, and the final shot happens on the 1. In the screenplay or not, that’s one crafty editor, coordinating the shots with their respective number. And finally, the first shot to ring in the new year.
sad and all but what did he expect marrying a porn star? kinda weird and funny how he smiled at everyone just before he shot himself I wonder if that had a hidden meaning like a sort of 'victory' message.
i think guys that date porn stars don't think it's cheating when they go to "work" to bang dudes because it's "acting," but when it's not on set and she's banging a dude in your house, then no it's not cool anymore
A man shoots himself with a handgun, blood is shown. The scene where Little Bill kills his wife and then kills himself is easily the most disturbing and graphic part in the movie.
- This is a single, master, steadycam shot, which took all afternoon to set up and rehearse. - He takes the time to lock the station wagon, but leave his drink on the roof. - The audio track would have been nice to include. Sound is 50% of the film. - I really hope that PT Anderson reads these discussions and debates about Little Bills character, and what he should and shouldn't have done. He would get a hoot! - Lastly, Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the greatest directors of our generation
No it's not. After he shoots his wife the shot cuts, which makes sense because how else would they have done the blood spatter? That element meant it needed to be a different shot as you would've noticed whatever mechanism it is that allowed blood to spray the walls after pulling the trigger
When you think about it, revenge doesn't really work. If you try and hurt someone you're just going to ruin your own life or make your own life miserable. All you can do is just leave and try again once you realize you aren't respected.
His life was already ruined, and her was going to kill himself anyway. This isn't really the classical idea of "revenge", as he didn't even pretend he would gain any satisfaction or closure.
I just realized that he relocks the car after getting the gun. Like if he knew there was no going back, he’d have left it unlocked. But the decision was so in-the-moment that he couldn’t see beyond it until it was done. Just such a little cue that was easily missed about how he was having an out-of-body/out-of-mind experience.
Watched the movie again after listening to the awesome Rewatchables podcast on it. What got me on this rewatch though, is how nice everyone is being to Little Bill in this scene as his whole world just falls apart.
I love it’s all one camera shot up to the crowd reaction. Outside to interior, through the house, back outside, to interior again... It’s like being there. This and the ‘drug dealer’ scene are 2 of the best!!! 💙#boogienights
The first person to do that kind of filming was Alfred Hitchcock. His movie Rope was all one take, except in 2 or 3 parts where the film had to be replaced. An amazing movie. I agree with you, that was a great scene in this movie.
Boogie Nights is like a time machine, transporting us back to that era, we're just observers i like how the direction of this film puts you there, invites you in, wants you to experince it with the characters, it is quite intimate ;)
They all died within seconds of each other, but he killed them in the 70s and killed himself in he 80s!
Classic !
Crazy symbolism
Great symbolism of progress
i like how this scene literally had 0 emocional impact on the characters, after this is jump right back into the mix, typical 80s i guess xD
This was a very important scene, as it basically symbolizes the end for not only him, but Dirks career, and the end of the golden era of the adult film industry
The fact he locks the car door after retrieving the gun - knowing full well what he's about to do - is a nice touch
yep
them small details really fleshes out the characters
Yet he left his drink on top of his car, which I thought was reckless
Chris Rock agrees
I think it plays into the momentary lapse of sanity. Like I don't know if he even knew he was going to shoot himself too
@@JasonVoorhees10100exactly
This scene was incredible. All in one shot. From Macy's emotion, to him walking to and from the car, to the music building up and finally the ending. Every time I see this I'm still shocked.
Drewism ever seen Hunger and Victoria?
The new edit on Netflix is garbage! Which is ashame as the original cut was fantastic!
Matthew Perrotti What was changed?
Shocked? It was just a movie. It wasn't real.
@@mperrotti76 Why tf, did they tamper with a classic? And where was the shot of Nina Hartley, his wife? I hate it when they pull shit like this. Same thing with the original Bad Lieutenant with Harvey Keitel. I had to seek out the original nc17. Netflix. What a joke.
You know someone is serious when they don't say a word and they're completely expressionless.
he just snapped and went on automatic. no decisions to be made, just that single overriding feeling that he had to kill his wife.
Alfredo Lopez I know that feeling I’ve been there a time or two
He even locked his car. Just on autopilot at that point.
went full terminator mode
Or bored
“Well this party sure died”
-Lloyd Christmas
Naaaaaaaiiilllleeeedddd it. Good one
This flirts with brilliance. 👍
Bill said he was gonna bring in the New Years wit ah bang.
Check Please!
He's a party pooper.
I remember being impacted by this scene the most out of any other in the movie. Mainly because he seemed really out of place in that world and was there to be taken advantage of. He was probably the most innocent and pure hearted person up until the murder. I was 18 and remember thinking as the takeaway, "how do you stay kind in life without becoming that oppressed?".
Don Cheadle's character seemed like the only other genuinely kind person, but for some reason people didn't walk all over him.That's how life goes sometimes.
Absolutely, dear Mike-descended-of-Post ... there was the 'most pure hearted' character you spoke of ... and Don's character that just seems 'confused and finding himself' through his active imagination and general 'nice-guy-ness'. I can only agree with you emphatically on your comment!!!
Nina Hartley remembers being impacted in this scene
The only guy who never seemed to really have anything bad happen to him was cameraman Kurt Longjohn (Ricky Jay). Everyone else had the rug pulled out from them in one form or another over the years (and more than once!), but he came out relatively unscathed. He had the thankless chore of doing the quality-control when they went to videotape (when he sighs "It is what it is!"), but that was about it.
You really hit the nail in the head.
My take away, don’t marry a porn star.
He locks the door of his car as if he'd care someone would steal it lol
MrStriper91 Only Clark Griswold would consider stealing that thing.
It looked like the window was down anyway...
He killed himself why bother locking his car. 😂
And did you notice👀he left his drink atop the car too?!🤣🤣🤣
tsmz65 Probably used to locking the door, out of habit. His emotions are so extreme that he can't think clearly. Maybe
Nice touch at the end of the film when Jack Horner is walking around the house and there is a portrait of bill hanging on the same wall where bill blew his brains out
Yeah it was nice to see that portrait of Bill
He probably couldn't scrub the blood off the wall
And if he tried to re-paint it would never match up
It’s not the same wall, it’s a different spot in the house.
It's the same wall that's the whole point of having the painting there ..
This was the point in the movie where everything started going to complete shit for everyone. This scene really hit me hard because you knew Little Bill was loved by everyone as he was just very charismatic and chill. He had bottled up a lot of intense emotions about his wife's continued infidelity which finally reached a climax before she did.
Who says she didn't?
Her "infidelity" paid the bills. Bill was tortured.
@@Teeveepicksures It didn’t pay any bills, at this point she was just fucking random people. None of this was being filmed.
@@Teeveepicksures work is one thing, to do it outside of that is just cruel
@@halflifefan1000 gotta love when people defend cheating
I'm not saying he should have done it....but I understand.
I know his wife cared so less about him that she didn't even sneak around to bang other guys she did it right in front of the guy.
Orrr, he could’ve just divorced her 🤷🏽♂️
Omar A. No
Mike I just listened to that Chris Rock special the other day😂
He knew what his wife was and chose to marry her hes a dumbass
The whole point Bill's existence in the movie was to show Jack deeply cares about his cast and crew as he hung a painting of Bill on his wall.
I believe he and jack were definitely close and he was like he’s assistant
i love those small touches like that in this film
with every rewatch it gets better
Probably to cover the stains
I believe the murder/suicide scene was an on screen way to let the audience know that the good times are over. Afterwards the movie gets darker and more depressing as the character’s lives start to spiral down.
I love how he locked the door even though he knew what was coming.
Maybe he hadn't made up his mind that he was going to kill himself.
Clearly the guy was obnibulated.
@@rddav1 Thats what I was going to say as well.. Prob shot out of rage and then thought im f ucked and shot himself
Habit
People who have committed suicide in front of witnesses have been observed to do routine things in the moments leading to their suicide, almost as if they’re completely on auto pilot, things like taking shoes off coming indoors somewhere, brushing their teeth moments before shooting themselves in the head, closing a door behind them so no one will have to see. It’s odd and yeah it can be definitely taken down the road of dark humor
What a way to say goodbye to the 1970's. Poor Guy, he was humilated over and over and he couldn't take it anymore.
@chazbukowski He still loved her lol. No one deserves that. Even you.
chazbukowski hence the term “you can’t turn a hoe into a housewife” little Bill was a good guy yet he made the wrong choice,no one forced him to marry her nor kill her even. He made that choice w/the end results.
@chazbukowski I thought that also when I first saw it. Most guys fantasy is to be with a porn star but they don't understand is you have to let your emotions go and not get attracted to her.
@@brucestro18 Absolutely correct a hoe being a hoe is natural buta guy trying to turn a hoe into a housewife, he's wrong for that.
@@Shatamx So what? He could have left her at literally any time. Nobody was forcing him to stay married to someone who was unfaithful.
Always important to make sure you lock your car before a murder/suicide.
and yet leave a full glass of champagne on the roof
With the windows open
Well yeah, then if she survived at least shed have to walk home
a bonus character detail
this movie and direction rules
That smile on his face right before he puts the gun in his mouth. Bill felt good killing them (probably the only time he felt in control and powerful the entire movie)
And then…he goes straight to hell. His misery was only yet to begin.
@@henryrogers5500 - LMFAO! It's the porn industry, they're all going to hell anyways.
@@henryrogers5500Where he’ll see that slut of a wife fucking demons and he’ll suffer having to watch her over and over again.
@@henryrogers5500There's no heaven or hell.
@@karllieck9064 And you know this how?
Paul Thomas Anderson is genius film maker. Using this particular song to build tension towards the suicide scene. Also extremely well-acted by William H. Macy. You can see the depression and despair written all over his face without him barely saying a word.
It helps that the wife is played by Nina Hartley, a real porn star who can actually act.
I was amazed by Macy's acting in this scene and loved the details of him still locking up his station wagon after retrieving the gun and ammo knowing full well what he was going to do with them.
That haunting little grin before he does it. It falls somewhere between "Go in the back room...you'll see why I did it" and "Well, might as well finish the job!".
I thought it was more him pretending to be the harmless person they thought he was. See, you thought this was all a joke right?
Nice critique.
I figured it was him being sarcastic about revealing what a nice face he's worn for years. Perhaps it's all of these things.
No the grin was more like, "What a relief, it was good to finally get that weight off my shoulders and express my true discontent with all the disrespect. Now just one more thing left to do. Happy New Year's phuckers."
@@LuisFernando-yd3mx That, too!
I had the honor of shaking Macy's hand at a film festival back in 2013 and got to tell him he was awesome as Little Bill. Best suicide in a movie. He smiled and thanked me 😆
That's awesome!
Almost as good as Private Pyle’s suicide in Full Metal Jacket
Master and Commander: Far Side of the World. Try this one on for size.
@batsematary yeah that was pretty deep
I guarantee he just wanted the comversation to end lmfaoooo
Whelp he did marry Nina Hartley , what did he expect ....
His dream was he wanted Doris Day in the kitchen & Jane Mansfield in the bedroom. At least he got one out've two..
@@pamle1 Who's to say she slept with him I got the impression she was holding out On him
@@sitdowndogbreath Yeah.. divorcing her & joining the local church singles would have been a better choice than revenge & lollipop.
@@sitdowndogbreath This has nothing to do with feminism. Simply look at American genealogy and you will find this type of thing been going on since and before Colonial Times.
@@davanmani556 how so
For the character of Little Bill, his wife's latest indiscretion was the final straw of humiliation for him.
Loving a woman and knowing full well that she was sleeping around with other men finally chipped away at his last shred of dignity and self respect.
You can see in that moment as he's walking back to the car to get his gun that he has been pushed beyond the point of no return.....
Not that murder is the right thing to do mind you!
Kudos to William H Macy's brilliant work......
I was nearly pushed to that point. Instead, I packed my shit, including the gun I damn near used, and left that town forever. It was a very close call, glad I made the right choice.
@@Undertaker67203 Leaving, cutting off communication and not looking back isn't bad in terms of payback after enough years have passed.
"I'm not saying he should've killed her...but I understand." -Chris Rock
It's kinda the right thing to do in certain situations, this being one of them.
@Reluctant Human absolutely true, nice people rarely end up being murder victims, usually it's someone who made a life of making bad decisions
What would've been amazing is if, during the end credits, they showed us the polaroid picture of Bill that the blonde takes of him at 1:34.
Damn that's a good idea
Yeah, they coulda replaced the shot of the painting by the chick who married Buck.
It’s a travesty William H. Macy doesn’t have an Academy Award. Highly underrated actor.
He got nominated for Fargo the year before, funnily enough Boogie Nights was the first script that came to him afterwards and he thought his agent was joking with him given how explicit the original draft was before they told him New Line were going to tone it down and keep it under 3 hours.
It was in a film page’s interview with him and they even asked him about the complete mangling of his line “My wife has an ass in her cock!” that PTA left in!
0:55 - You can see it start to dawn on Little Bill's face - "Don't even tell me she's....." and then he heads right for a bedroom. Great performance by William Macy.
I feel sorry for Bill. Usually marriage should be joyful but it ended up destroying him because his wife really never gave a shit about him and he actually seemed to love her at one point.
The dear Joaq Wizard Phoenix has spoken in paragraphs through just two sentences.
@Reluctant Human And your secret power is... misogyny! Congratulations! You're a real superhero now, Timmy! (Seriously, there are actually some pleasant women in the world. I even know some. They're not all cancerous, gold-digging, emasculating shrews. Maybe... get out more?)
@@Perfidion spoken like a man who doesn't date women.
@@benjaminleinen Spoken like a man who repels women and can't figure out why.
Wensleydale shut up you smug prick
The director made a commentary about this scene and was glad that audiences shut up really quick about Little Bill's death because you like the character and what he's doing even though he commits suicide
1980s came in with a Bang!
A bang that no one would ever forget!
Or 70s ended with a bang!! LOL.
For his wife the 70s went out with a bang
All in one shot. You can see this technique a few times during the movie: The opening sequence, the pool party, etc. Great. The death of Little Bill is the sign that the "Golden Era Of Porn" (the Seventies) are over, and the Eighties are beginning. A bad omen.
Scorsese loved these shots, too. The introducing all the Gumbas and Cocpa scenes in Goddfellas are epic!
Matthew Perrotti also Robert Altman
Kai Thomas What are you talking about? He fired four shots... ;)
By the 80s, it was a bad omen. The drugs got much worse as the 80s progress. The change of technology, etc.
Not exactly fully in one shot. When little Bill shoots his wife there is a cut to the rest of the party. But still a great long shot none the less. Actually my favorite thing about this long shot is the other things that could be missed if not looked for. For example when little Bill is walking to his car we see Gandolini and his "Hot bed of fucking action" kids leaving the party at 1:52 to 1:55, then a few seconds later when little Bill gets his gun out of the car and closes the door, in the background Scotty, after saying "I'm a fuckin idiot", is getting out of his orange Camaro 2:18 to 2:21 and going back to the party.
Seems like everyone liked Bill and were trying to protect him from finding his wife. What an intense scene.
Well if the wife had been faithful instead of getting fucked ever which way till Sunday by guys and if he tried to satisfy her more
i never looked at it like that. god, that makes it even more intense.
That's not protecting. That's enabling.
@@shrapnel77that’s a bingo!
@@shrapnel77Bobby. EXACTLY.
"I didn't want to cause any problems" mf what exactly so you think you're doing hiding it and inviting her in the first place? Let people handle their business, don't make it about you.
I always liked when she snaps that photo of him as he's walking through the house. I imagine they'd look at that photo a lot afterwards. Taken seconds before his death.
@Sven Figueroa They as in everyone who knew him when they saw the photo later on in life.
Sven Figueroa Heather Graham ( Roller Girl) in the gold hot pants takes his picture right before he does it
Dang, I thought that picture was of the main group, not him individually?
Unlike many other movie murderers, I feel bad for Little Bill. He suppressed his feelings into a volatile state.
“Other than that how was the party?”
Pretty good till midnight. Then it just got kinda lame.
😬
Hilarious comment! Belly laugh from me thanks :)
@@75aces97 Nice job missing the point of the joke in the comment. The murder suicide happened at midnight and the comment asked about what else happened at the party.
@@5445jedi Yes, junior. Thanks for explaining it to me. Where would I be without helpful folks like you?
It was a blast
I like how they make sure to include the picture of Little Bill in the end scene on the wall as if he's still a part of their family and has stayed with them throughout the years.
Probably was cheaper than having to get the blood completely out and the wall repainted not to mention having to patch up the bullet hole that was no doubt left as well. Lol
i love those little details
Fun Fact: Bill's characters name was originally "Will Smith", but they chose Bill instead.
In the original script he was suppose to say "KEEP MY WIFES NAME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH" right before he shoots both of em but they cut it.
@@stacksgillespie1818 you sure it wasn't "Keep my wife's ass out of your mouth"? I mean this IS Boogie Nights.
@@stacksgillespie1818 In this scene, I don't think having her name in his mouth was the issue. Other things in his mouth, maybe. Kinda like August did.
Keep my wife’s ass outcha f’n cock.
They decided to go with Bill since this character actually did something about it.
Still better than what would have happened to him in divorce court
Sadly, it's true.
No doubt
Ok incel
@@pasquess1mp
@@pasques ok soy cuck. Enjoy the Nintendo switch your wife's boyfriend gave it to ya 😂
Boogie Nights is unquestionably a masterpiece. In my top 5 favorite movies of all time.
remywood81
He probably knew he wouldn’t get any break had he not had shot her and went on to hv a divorce !!!
Same here
Absolutely
Boogie nights and fear and loathing in las Vegas gives me anxiety😂
Agreed!! Thought that in 1997 I think October? Wife just left me saw this movie and was enthralled by it
When they originally shot this scene they showed the two lovers getting their brains blown out. Good that they cut that because it would have lessened the impact of Bill blasting his own brains out.
I think was 3.
@@periclesferreira5010 but he only shot 2 times in the bedroom
@@periclesferreira5010 ok you were right, i just rewatched the clip, omg it was 3 shots 😱
@@ItsaKindOfMagic86 it happen.
Was kind fast.
God bless you.
Guns don't kill people, husbands who come home early do.
TheStewieOne Actually it's the women who kill themselves by cheating on their husbands. If they don't like their husbands then they should just divorce.
This movie takes place in the porn industry which essentially shows the alternative lifestyles of these people. Little Bill does what he feels is right for him but its kind of stupid. Oh my goodness your wife in the porn industry has sex with lots of men? The hell you say!
subsamadhi I don't remember her working in the porn industry. Her husband did. If she actually worked in porn, she shouldn't be fucking all the time outside of the job. In addition, if she works in porn she should practice sex with her husband. Women will use any excuse to cheat on their husbands. "Oh, he's not noticing me at every single moment of his existence." "He's too busy at work providing for my lazy ass." "We work in porn, so that means it's ok for me to cheat on him by fucking men outside of the actual pornographic job."
subsamadhi You wouldn't know the high range of emotion without having been in the situation yourself. Perhaps he could've calculated his murder and made it look like an accident but who could possibly resist doing something stupid in that emotionally hideous moment?
Dear TheStewieOne ... we have laughed very audibly unto our neighbours, thanks unto that statement !!!
The Polaroid picture taken of Bill by Rollergirl would have to be what was used to create the portrait of him shown near the end of the movie.
He freakin unlocks and locked the car door...that guy should NOT have been in that business, but instead, a family man...
Question, would his date of death be December 31, 1979 or January 1 1980?
1/1/80 since he has to be pronounced dead by paramedics or a doctor.
His wife and her lover died in 79 while everyone was counting down and then Bill shot himself after the countdown so he died in 80 lol
Oats Carter
Dec 31 bec they thought it was fireworks exploding !!!!
Wow. Excellent question. Im thinking 1/1/80 But just by a hair. The wife was shot in the middle of the countdown. Then he took another 30 to 60 seconds to walk into the room and shoot.
Listen to the countdown. The first three shots coincide with 3-2-1!
RIP Bill "Little Bill" Thompson (1933-1980 00:00:03)
The wood panel station wagon is a great metaphor for how out of place Bill seems in that environment, way more Middle America reliable than West Coast cool. I am also haunted by the way he closes the glove box and locks the car door, I can't decide if it was just routine, if it shows how he really didn't trust the people he worked with, or if he was undecided if he would be coming back or not
I think the turning point was that she was no longer doing it for the spectacle. Previously she'd been doing it with a crowd watching, but this time it was just her in the back room with another man.
I think Macy overlooked it when it was for show, but now that she was just doing it on the side, he'd had enough.
No. Three shots at three separate targets. Watch where he points his gun. Maybe a cameraman filming the act.
@@victorsingery2811 Or that she was having a threesome with two guys.
Could be, could be…. Never noticed this before, many thanks!
@@victorsingery2811 Hmm, could have been two into the wife, and then a third shot into the guy immediately withdrawing from coitus?
@@Retro-Future-Land Could have been three shots into the wall. The movie is about an industry that films people having sex. Maybe there was a cameraman.
He really ruined that party
Yeah. I wanted to watch them having fun but he just killed his wife, a random guy and himself.
He ruined New Years too. Now every year everyone that was there will remember that New Years every New Year.
That hardcut to the little 80s 'titlecard' while all the music cuts out is so chilling for whatever reason. Great editing.
Sounded to me like the song ended just before he pulled the trigger.
The murder/suicide along with “the 80’s” let us know the good times were over.
this must be a master piece, i mean it, never get tired of this film and have the greatest perfomances i ever seen in my short life, loved this film, Mark Whalberg deserves an oscar for his perfomance...
yeah man, this movie gets better with age and with every rewatch
So well filmed, criminally underrated
Saw it opening night. Raved about it over and over! 10/10 movie
@@CIF-pm7tkyou're so lucky. I'd of loved to see this at the cinema
His wife & her lover died in the 70s. At least he made it to the 80s. 🤦🏻♂️
It looked like 3 people were shot in that room.
@@imaouima yep two before the countdown finish for the new year (1980) hence why they died in the 1970s (year 1979). Then one who shot himself after the countdown finished meaning it was now the new year 1980.
There was two guys in room *watch trajectory of shots
Aww jeez Jerry.What the hell dja go and do that fer?...Aw..Jeez...
Ah what the christ, i don't need to say why i had to. They had it comin, darn tootin.
Only a real G knows what’s up with this quote
Real good then.
I love that nobody brings this up again the rest of the film despite being the most horrifying thing any of them would have seen.
Goes to show you they never cared about him
Not true I believe in the end of the movie burt Reynolds has giant painting of Macy's character.
I'm sure the characters did, just off-screen...and remember..this was 1970's California: Frankly, it may NOT be the most horrifying thing a lot of them had seen
To constantly talk about it would probably have driven them crazier with guilt earlier. Everyone loved Bill they just thought he was super laid back and open with his wife, they had no real idea of how much it actually hurt him let alone the verbal humiliation and outright lack of any respect she had for him. Granted Bill needed to put those issues out there and not simply be nicer as a coping mechanism
It's a respect thing. Jack has a painting of little bill in his house after this
His wife finished the 70s with a bang. He started the 80s with a bang.
Unlocks car, gets gun, knows what he's gonna do, still stays safe and locks car back. What a sad scene.
Kept the revolver unloaded too in a locked glove-box, a very law-abiding thing to do in late 1970s California, right up until he opened fire...
I remember watching this the first time and remembering: "This is how you say 'The party's over'' while telling a story on screen.
And just before that, the scene that made Philip Seymour Hoffman, these two were the most memorable scenes.
citizenbobx Definitely. Before this scene the movie was pretty lighthearted and fun but after the whole tone shifts into something way darker. It lets you know that the party’s over and all the characters are gonna start facing the consequences of the lifestyle they’ve chosen
This flick does that very well w Amber Waves in particular. They show her at the child custody hearing and the judge asks when she was last arrested and what the charges were. Cut to her sobbing in front of a brick wall while people pass by. Ouch.
I love how this is how the 80s starts.
You just know everything is going downhill from here on in.
@@brinsonharris9816 YES!!
It’s a brilliant bit of editing and minimising exposition in that one shot you see her composed when she’s asked when she was arrested before cutting to the next shot outside where she’s sobbing uncontrollably having lost the custody of her biological son.
This scene signifies an end of an era with a bang. Its all downhill from there.
He ended the 70's with a bang, eh mate?
I like how Jack ended up putting a nice pairing of Little Bill in his house years later, and it appears he hung it in the exact same spot Bill blew his brains out on the wall.
The amount of comments about Little Bill locking his car door is staggering
It's like an alternate ending to the movie The Last American Virgin
Lemon popsicle is the original
No lie...that ending was messed up...
@@janedoe-hq9vn but it was real life
God that’s such a depressing film to watch
@@zachhoward9099 Gary played himself
This is what happens when you love who you thought someone was, and who you wished they were, not who they actually are. You end up killing them.
It's tragic... that he didn't finish his glass of champagne
I was just relieved he didn't drive off with it on the roof.
*I would imagine Nina Hartley's husband in real life walked into Thousands of Situations of her doing that ..and a lot more!!!!.*
What a pig
@@richevans609 👍👍
Her ass was to die for.
@@tomcooper6108 You said it.
She’s still at it from what I can tell.
I've always wanted see the Polaroid picture Rollergirl snapped at 1:33. Bill's haunted expression, the dead eyes. I wonder if it actually exists.
Apparently, he didn’t get the Clear Coat
True Coat! Haha
@@Gunsforfreedom My boss said he can knock $100 off that True Coat...ya know they put it on at the factory
@@podfinger HAHAHA! Where's my damn check book!
What the heck do you mean?!
"Ohhhhh, what the Christ!?"
A genius example of a long form unbroken shot.
Masterful cinematic technique.
Damn he didnt even drink his champagne he just left it on the hood of his car. I felt that.
Somebody else drank it then?
That's because he blacked out
One of the best movies of the 90s. Amazing cast, directing, music and cinematography. I dare compare it to Goodfellas.
Better than goodfellas. What other movie portrays the porn industry as well as this
better than Good Fellas
Yes I agree it's also one of my all time favorite movies as well
I’m glad I’ve never seen this movie. Nor would I be inclined to. Although I was in my 20s during the 1970s, this “boogie nights” disco era was waay after my time, thankfully!
Sure they both covered their point of topic, being the mob life and the porn industry life, but common dude Goodfellas is way better and more entertaining hands down
The music ties in so well with this scene... perfect 👌
Yes I agree
You have to love Little Bill. Just a great guy in the movie who had enough....
This scene best demonstrate the concept of "Its all really just fun and games until...."
First nobody, even the audience really empathizes with bill. The idea that he has to watch his wife get fucked around even on a driveway is funny to everyone. Not even the audience would think that this is emotionally scarring for little bill. Why? Because like all the characters, we are all mesmerized by the carefree lifestyles they have.
When the movie begins, there is so much optimism, feel-good music, positive outlook on the porn industry. Then we transition to the characters living in their primes, enjoying the best of times, achieving celebrity status for performing and filming sex acts. Its all really fun and games.
Its only until we get to this scene when we realize just how filthy, and dark the pornography business is. We all saw them have a life because of pornography, but at the same time from here on we get to see how their lives will be taken from them because of it.
This is such a damn good movie, very hardcore at times, even after seeing it once more than 20 years ago, I think I need to watch it again...
Bill ULTIMATE 70'S dude! Takes himself out six seconds after and of the decade! He so regretted not shooting just a bit sooner. Ultimate 70s man now has a 1980 on his tombstone.
…and a not-so-bright future in hell.
Little Bill went out with a bang! The first death of 1980. He took the 70s with him too.
"Beware the fury of a patient man."
Great little detail that everyone is so nice to Little Bill right before he dies. Shows that if he just left his wife he could've been really happy.
Man is that a powerful scene. I love the fact that he locks his car door so matter of factly.
when he walks up at the begining and runs into the banner. the 80's and reality hitting him in the face.
If Little Bill hadn't offed himself, he may have gotten a light sentence for it being a crime of passion.
True; most character witnesses would probably describe him as harmless outside of that isolated incident.
Dude could’ve been out before 84 with all the character witnesses he would have had
I never noticed that he fires three shots total, beginning exactly on the 3-count of the new year - two of them happen on the 2 count, and the final shot happens on the 1. In the screenplay or not, that’s one crafty editor, coordinating the shots with their respective number. And finally, the first shot to ring in the new year.
Moral of the story : if u can't trust someone dont be with them!
Wrong, moral of the story = you never know what your mans capable of until you push him.
So dont push him
@@erichvonmanstein6876 well yes that too, agreed 👍
@@pandorasbox7152 same i would say goes for your woman though, not saying ladies cant savage up if pushed
@@erichvonmanstein6876 absolutely, respect is important too. If there's no respect then most likely no trust will follow
sad and all but what did he expect marrying a porn star? kinda weird and funny how he smiled at everyone just before he shot himself I wonder if that had a hidden meaning like a sort of 'victory' message.
So it's implied that Little Bill's wife was a porn star just because Nina Hartley played her?
Robert Rose no more likely because he was in the industry and she banging guys more than once with him in the vicinity.
no, she is a porn star in the movie.
i think guys that date porn stars don't think it's cheating when they go to "work" to bang dudes because it's "acting," but when it's not on set and she's banging a dude in your house, then no it's not cool anymore
It was more of a "Why not? I just shot two ppl and not finin'a go to jail look"🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
A man shoots himself with a handgun, blood is shown.
The scene where Little Bill kills his wife and then kills himself is easily the most disturbing and graphic part in the movie.
- This is a single, master, steadycam shot, which took all afternoon to set up and rehearse.
- He takes the time to lock the station wagon, but leave his drink on the roof.
- The audio track would have been nice to include. Sound is 50% of the film.
- I really hope that PT Anderson reads these discussions and debates about Little Bills character, and what he should and shouldn't have done. He would get a hoot!
- Lastly, Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the greatest directors of our generation
No it's not. After he shoots his wife the shot cuts, which makes sense because how else would they have done the blood spatter? That element meant it needed to be a different shot as you would've noticed whatever mechanism it is that allowed blood to spray the walls after pulling the trigger
@USOA The Watts 103rd St Band is the group. The name of the song is named "Do Your Thing."
I love how he takes the time to lock up his car after retrieving his gun lol
habit
great character detail there
He didnt die,he opened a car dealer ship in up by Brainerd MN.
One of my favorite scenes from a movie, ever.
When you think about it, revenge doesn't really work. If you try and hurt someone you're just going to ruin your own life or make your own life miserable. All you can do is just leave and try again once you realize you aren't respected.
It’s a metaphor for the end of the 70’s and the end of porn. Went out with a bang.
His life was already ruined, and her was going to kill himself anyway. This isn't really the classical idea of "revenge", as he didn't even pretend he would gain any satisfaction or closure.
Man Macy is never gonna catch a break.
Well, he didn't get eaten by Dinosaurs in Jurassic Park 3.
He had it coming in Fargo.
115 credits since 1991, died in 13. So, he does not die that often 🙂
I just realized that he relocks the car after getting the gun. Like if he knew there was no going back, he’d have left it unlocked. But the decision was so in-the-moment that he couldn’t see beyond it until it was done. Just such a little cue that was easily missed about how he was having an out-of-body/out-of-mind experience.
He was on autopilot at that point.
That's definitely gonna affect the resale value of that house!
Nah, just put up a painting of Bill where his brains are and no one's the wiser.
I'd imagine going round the entire house and grounds with a UV light would put anyone off living there.
I’ll take it!☝🏽
Lionel Hutz could get Marge Simpson to sell it to Ned Flanders though
Watched the movie again after listening to the awesome Rewatchables podcast on it. What got me on this rewatch though, is how nice everyone is being to Little Bill in this scene as his whole world just falls apart.
I love it’s all one camera shot up to the crowd reaction. Outside to interior, through the house, back outside, to interior again... It’s like being there. This and the ‘drug dealer’ scene are 2 of the best!!! 💙#boogienights
The first person to do that kind of filming was Alfred Hitchcock. His movie Rope was all one take, except in 2 or 3 parts where the film had to be replaced. An amazing movie. I agree with you, that was a great scene in this movie.
Boogie Nights is like a time machine, transporting us back to that era, we're just observers
i like how the direction of this film puts you there, invites you in, wants you to experince it with the characters, it is quite intimate ;)
And that gentleman is why you don’t try to make a 304 into a housewife.
Based on a true story. I like how he cares enough to lock the car door. Pure savage.
It's not based on a true story its based on jhon holmes incidents like the wonderland murders you see at the end of boogie nights
Happy new year
People keep saying this scene was filmed “in one shot”...oh, the irony!
What's ironic about it?
Bills wife died December 31, 1979
Her lover died December 31, 1979
Bill died January 1, 1980
"Do Your Thing" - Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band... Funky Stank
Thank you
I don't know when the song came out but they should have played hey Joe from jimmy hendrix