Burt Reynolds’ Regret: The Film He Couldn’t Stand Making
Burt Reynolds once called his time on Boogie Nights the worst of his career, despite the film’s later success and his own Oscar nod. Discover what made the experience so difficult for the Hollywood legend.
Few would dispute Burt Reynolds’ place in cinema history, with roles in everything from Smokey and the Bandit to Deliverance. Yet, for all his celebrated performances, it was his stint as Jack Horner in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights that left him with a particularly sour taste. The film, a sharp and darkly comic look at the adult film industry’s heyday, would go on to be hailed as a modern classic. But for Reynolds, the process was anything but enjoyable.
By the time Boogie Nights came along, Reynolds’ career had hit a bit of a lull. He’d recently appeared in Striptease, which critics were less than kind about, and had found himself in a string of forgettable comedies and straight-to-video releases. So, when the opportunity arose to play a seasoned adult film director opposite a young Mark Wahlberg, it might have seemed like a chance to reclaim some of his former glory. Instead, it became a job he’d rather forget.
Clashing with a Young Director
Reynolds’ main gripe stemmed from his working relationship with Anderson, who, at just 26, was still making a name for himself. The age gap and difference in experience proved to be a sticking point. Reynolds, a veteran of the industry, found it difficult to take direction from someone so fresh to the scene. In his own words,
“I hated the experience. I thought I’d sold out, in a way. I wasn’t sure whether that was why they were offering the film to me, but apparently, I did it very well.”
Despite the accolades that followed, including an Oscar nomination, Reynolds never warmed to the project.
He later admitted he never even watched the finished film. In his memoir, he wrote,
“I wasn’t crazy about being [directed] by a guy who’s younger than some sandwiches I’ve had.”
The tension on set was palpable, with Anderson’s youthful enthusiasm and assertiveness clashing with Reynolds’ seasoned approach.
Behind the Scenes: Friction and Frustration
Anderson himself has since reflected on the dynamic, acknowledging that his own inexperience may have contributed to the friction.
“I was 26 years old and really full of a lot of vinegar and confidence and barking directions at everybody, and I think just trying to get this film made. And I think some of that probably got directed at Burt, and he wasn’t having it, and nor should he have. But that’s not to say there weren’t great, great moments.”
The director’s candour suggests that, while the production was fraught, it wasn’t without its highlights.
For Reynolds, though, the negatives far outweighed any positives. He described the experience as the worst of his long career, despite the critical acclaim and the recognition that followed. The irony, of course, is that his performance as Jack Horner is now considered one of his finest, perfectly capturing the blend of authority and vulnerability the role demanded.
Legacy of a Reluctant Icon
Boogie Nights not only revitalised Anderson’s career but also gave Wahlberg a serious boost in credibility. Yet, for Reynolds, the film remains a reminder of a difficult chapter. He may have delivered exactly what the director wanted, but the process left him questioning his choices and, by his own admission, feeling as though he’d compromised his principles.
In the end, Reynolds’ discomfort didn’t diminish the impact of his performance. The film stands as a testament to his talent, even if the journey there was, in his view, anything but pleasant.