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Here's what LA Weekly had to say about it: "If it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly where this maladroit drama about the infamous New York discotheque went wrong, it’s because everything in the film is lousy: The writing, the directing, the acting, the casting (Neve Campbell?), the moral posturing, the Capote clone, the Andy lookalike, even the glitter that clings to Salma Hayek’s lashes like tears. Writer-director Mark Christopher stuffs the film with quasi celebs (Ron Jeremy, Lauren Hutton) and various other relics (blink and you’ll miss Art Garfunkel, Valerie Per-rine and Lorna Luft), but never figures out what story he’s telling: that of ’70s scenester Steve Rubell (an awful Mike Myers), pictured here without partner Ian Schrager; of the vacant Jersey kid named — no kidding — Shane O’Shea (Ryan Phillippe), who dreams of becoming a 54 barman; of the barely there romance between Shane and soap-star slut Julie Black (Campbell); or of the relationship between Hayek’s coat-check diva and her husband (Breckin Meyer), who, like his good buddy Shane, almost drops his pants for Stevie but decides against it because, apparently, sucking cock has no place in a movie about sex, drugs and disco. Given that Christopher once directed a fine gay short, The Dead Boys’ Club, this restraint seems particularly curious. (By: Manohla Dargis)" Now, I kinda liked it. I did... but I didn't. I have seen 3 of these type of movies in the past year (Boogie Nights, Last Days Of Disco, 54) and so far I'd have to say Last Days Of Disco was my favorite out of all. I guess it's because it wasn't full of actors/actresses who I wanted to shake and say "Why are you in this movie, what the hell do you think you're doing?!" Less known people. Boogie Nights seemed to poke fun at the era, Last Days of Disco was more the documentary type .. almost a movie but still had that documentary feel to it, and 54 was an interesting and somewhat disgusting look into the 70's club life. At least in that particular area. I did like the music in this, however. I have the Boogie Nights Sndtrk and want to get 54's next. Overall, I don't know how I'd rate this movie. Music = ***** Casting = *** Style [Hair/Makeup/Clothing] = ***** StoryLine = *** Overall = ***1/2 I'd say wait and see this at the cheapie matinee. (If you decide to at all) |
WARNING: PORTIONS OF THE PLOT TO BE DIVULGED IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN 54 AND YOU INTEND TO GO TO IT, DO NOT READ FURTHER No fair peaking if you haven't seen the film. Anyway, in the original version Shane goes on a drugs and sex binge and goes all to hell. He brakes up Salma Hayek's and Breckin Meyer's marriage and even kisses Breckin in one scene. Steve Rubbell was played as some sort of an endearing uncle if I recall the article correctly. Anyway, they had to dump all that, fly back the actors, and redo practically the entire film. I don't know which version would have been better, but the version I saw was, as Carrie Ann puts it, a good bargain matinee at best. As for Last Days of Disco, I liked the music, and the characters were all physcially attractive, butI didn't like any of them so I couldn't care less what happened to them. I'd pass on seeing that. |