 Anderson began working on the script for his next feature film during his troubles with Hard Eight , completing the script in 1995 . The result was Anderson 's breakout for the drama film Boogie Nights ( 1997 ) , which is based on his short The Dirk Diggler Story . The script was noticed by New Line Cinema 's president , Michael De Luca , who felt " totally gaga " reading it . It was released on October 10 , 1997 and was a critical and commercial success . The film revived the career of Burt Reynolds , and provided breakout roles for Mark Wahlberg and Julianne Moore . At the 70th Academy Awards ceremony , the film received three Academy Award nominations , including for Best Supporting Actor ( Burt Reynolds ) , Best Supporting Actress ( Julianne Moore ) and Best Original Screenplay . 
 Anderson began working on the script for his next feature film during his troubles with Hard Eight , completing the script in 1995 . The result was Anderson <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>breakout for the drama film Boogie Nights ( 1997 ) , which is based on his short The Dirk Diggler Story . The script was noticed by New Line Cinema <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>president , Michael De Luca , <a href='null_relcl' title='3'><mark>who</mark></a>felt " totally gaga " reading it . It was released on October 10 , 1997 and was a critical and commercial success . The film revived the career of Burt Reynolds , and provided breakout roles for Mark Wahlberg and Julianne Moore . At the 70th Academy Awards ceremony , the film received three Academy Award nominations , including for Best Supporting Actor ( Burt Reynolds ) , Best Supporting Actress ( Julianne Moore ) and Best Original Screenplay . 
Anderson began working on the script for his next feature film during his troubles with Hard Eight , completing da script in 1995 . Tdaresult was Anderson  breakout fa thdarama film Boogie Nights ( 1997 ) , which is based on his short Thedark Diggler Story . The script was noticed by New Line Cinema  president , Michael De Luca , felt " totally gaga " reading it . It was released on October 10 , 1997 and was a critical and commercial success . The dam revived the cdaer of Burt Reynolds , and provided breakout roles ffirMark Wahlberg and Julianne Moore . At the 70daAcademy Awards ceremony , the fildaeceived three Academy Award nominations , including for Best Supporting Actor ( Burt Reynolds ) , Best Supporting Actress ( Julianne Moore ) and Best Original Screenplay .