Party Monster

Through an agreement with my amazing girlfriend, I agreed to watch Party Monster, if she agreed to watch a film of my choice. And it was done. And without any more introductions, let's talk about this 2003 True Story, Party Monster...

And just when we thought that Macaulay Culkin was through being a kid, he takes the role of Michael Alig, a notorious druggie from New York that organized massive parties in the 80s. Culkin is joined by Seth Green, who champions the role of James St. James, friend and mentor to Alig.

This film tells the tale, from the point of view of James St. James, the events leading up to the murder of a drug dealer named Angel, and the publishing of a book. We learn the background of Alig, how he had been abused as a child, and came to New York, questioning everything, from sexuality, to drug use. He soon becomes the party organizer of the decade as begins to define the rave setting, in funky costumes, and wacky locations.

This film is filled with techno beats, and drug use, which surprisingly, is a pretty good picture of what the 80s turned out to be. This is a true story, and there has been a documentary made, titled under the same name.

This film is shot on a digital camera, which I have always enjoyed. It brings that 'real' feeling to the film, as if you're right there with everyone, watching things happen, rather than a floaty camera, hovering over everyone from the 'viewer' perspective. There are some interesting shots as well, which came as a surprise to me. A film of this nature, I figured, wouldn't have much in terms of technique. I felt that it was going to focus on the story, and the characters, but low and behold!

And the acting... I can't tell if it's really bad, or if it's really good acting as strange people. The jury is still out on that one. I'm just going to tell myself that they acted very strangely, and thus, the seemingly bad acting is a result of emulation.

I can't say this is worth the rent. But if you're looking for something to pass the time, and want to see crazy Culkin dancing around and doing drugs, and Seth Green being about as flamboyant as you can imagine him to be, then this might be a fun little 90 minutes. It's filled with some decent tech tunes, and some interesting people. I guess, if all else fails, you could always take a nap.

5 of 10