Seen before: Yes
The first and in fact only Michael Winterbottom film that I have watched. I remember my university lecturer arguing with me when I said that I thought Danny Boyle was the current best British filmmaker, and Winterbottom was his choice. I guess I need to watch more Winterbottom films before I make a sound judgment.
---Plot Summary---
The year is 1976. The music scene in Manchester is about to erupt, and Tony Wilson (Steve Coogan) is at the epicentre, along with the soon-to-be iconic club, the Hacienda. From Joy Division to the Happy Mondays, this is an exciting time for music, and Manchester.
---Review---
'24 Hour Party People' is a curious piece of cinema. Filmed in a mock-documentary style, and with a massive ensemble cast of actors, including Steve Coogan playing Tony Wilson not too far dissimilar from Alan Partridge, it's at times a mess of a film. But it is however, an entertaining mess. I personally was not fully aware of Joy Division, the Happy Mondays, or Factory Records before I watched this film, and I have to say I did not really have an interest in any of them. But this film does it's best to convey how important these contributors were to the 'Madchester' scene of the 1980s, and it does so through a variety of well edited stock footage and some pleasing visual techniques (the emergence of Bez from the Happy Mondays is particularly memorable).
The film is a homage to the people and city of Manchester. It is glorified throughout the film, even at times when arguably things are getting out of hand, as the birth of rave culture creates a wave of drug dealing and gun crime. At the centre of this way of life is the Hacienda, a warehouse style club that Wilson buys after the success of Joy Division. Whilst initially a disastrous investment, it eventually comes good with the emergence of the Happy Mondays, who create this 'rave' genre of music. I have to say, whilst not a fan of 'rave' culture myself, the film does indeed make it look fascinating and even fun. Their are some amazing sequences filmed within the club that almost create a sense of actually being there, and at the same time make you aware that everyone who was actually there knew they were at the heart of something special.
This film has, as I said, a huge ensemble cast, that includes a wide variety of familiar faces. They include, but are not limited to: Peter Kay, Paddy Considine, John Simm, Ralf Little, Keith Allen, Shirley Henderson, John Thomson and Andy Serkis, who manages to create on of the greatest comic performances I have seen for a while as Martin Hannett, the infamous producer of many of Factory Records best works. Serkis is a masterful performer, bringing to life the larger than life personality of Hannett whilst making him seem utterly believable. It is perhaps the best performance amonst a host of admirable ones, with even characters that have fairly small parts in this story creating a significant impression (Keith Allen is one that comes to mind).
In what is at times a darkly comic film, it certainly has it's fair share of laugh out loud moments, mostly involving either Coogan or Serkis. The film looks great, and is further enhanced by some surrealistic moments (Wilson sees God late on in the film), and whilst the music may not be to everyone's taste, it definitely draws you in. I do feel that however that it can only be fully enjoyed with a prior knowledge of either one of the bands involved in the scene, or of Wilson/Factory Records itself.
---Rating---
7/10
Tomorrow: 25th Hour (Spike Lee, 2002)
The first and in fact only Michael Winterbottom film that I have watched. I remember my university lecturer arguing with me when I said that I thought Danny Boyle was the current best British filmmaker, and Winterbottom was his choice. I guess I need to watch more Winterbottom films before I make a sound judgment.
---Plot Summary---
The year is 1976. The music scene in Manchester is about to erupt, and Tony Wilson (Steve Coogan) is at the epicentre, along with the soon-to-be iconic club, the Hacienda. From Joy Division to the Happy Mondays, this is an exciting time for music, and Manchester.
---Review---
'24 Hour Party People' is a curious piece of cinema. Filmed in a mock-documentary style, and with a massive ensemble cast of actors, including Steve Coogan playing Tony Wilson not too far dissimilar from Alan Partridge, it's at times a mess of a film. But it is however, an entertaining mess. I personally was not fully aware of Joy Division, the Happy Mondays, or Factory Records before I watched this film, and I have to say I did not really have an interest in any of them. But this film does it's best to convey how important these contributors were to the 'Madchester' scene of the 1980s, and it does so through a variety of well edited stock footage and some pleasing visual techniques (the emergence of Bez from the Happy Mondays is particularly memorable).
The film is a homage to the people and city of Manchester. It is glorified throughout the film, even at times when arguably things are getting out of hand, as the birth of rave culture creates a wave of drug dealing and gun crime. At the centre of this way of life is the Hacienda, a warehouse style club that Wilson buys after the success of Joy Division. Whilst initially a disastrous investment, it eventually comes good with the emergence of the Happy Mondays, who create this 'rave' genre of music. I have to say, whilst not a fan of 'rave' culture myself, the film does indeed make it look fascinating and even fun. Their are some amazing sequences filmed within the club that almost create a sense of actually being there, and at the same time make you aware that everyone who was actually there knew they were at the heart of something special.
This film has, as I said, a huge ensemble cast, that includes a wide variety of familiar faces. They include, but are not limited to: Peter Kay, Paddy Considine, John Simm, Ralf Little, Keith Allen, Shirley Henderson, John Thomson and Andy Serkis, who manages to create on of the greatest comic performances I have seen for a while as Martin Hannett, the infamous producer of many of Factory Records best works. Serkis is a masterful performer, bringing to life the larger than life personality of Hannett whilst making him seem utterly believable. It is perhaps the best performance amonst a host of admirable ones, with even characters that have fairly small parts in this story creating a significant impression (Keith Allen is one that comes to mind).
In what is at times a darkly comic film, it certainly has it's fair share of laugh out loud moments, mostly involving either Coogan or Serkis. The film looks great, and is further enhanced by some surrealistic moments (Wilson sees God late on in the film), and whilst the music may not be to everyone's taste, it definitely draws you in. I do feel that however that it can only be fully enjoyed with a prior knowledge of either one of the bands involved in the scene, or of Wilson/Factory Records itself.
---Rating---
7/10
Tomorrow: 25th Hour (Spike Lee, 2002)
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