Party Monster (2003) Movie Information:

Party Monster (2003) Directed by: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato Party Monster (2003) Written by: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, James St. James Party Monster (2003) Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Seth Green, Dylan McDermott, Natasha Lyonne, Chloe Sevigny, Lucy Liu, Marilyn Manson, Diana Scarwid, Wilson Cruz, Wilmer Valderrama

Party Monster (2003) U.S. Distributor: ContentFilm Party Monster (2003) U.K. Distributor: Metro Tartan Distribution Ltd.

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Party Monster (2003) Synopsis:

Set in the New York club scene of the late 1980's thru the 1990's, a tale which chronicles the rise and fall of "club-kid" promoter Michael Alig, a party organizer, whose extravagant life was sent spiraling downward when he boasted on television that he had killed his "friend", roommate, and drug dealer, Angel Melendez. Originally from Indiana, Alig moved to New York, and came to be an underground legend, known for his excessive drug use and outrageous behavior in the club world. At his peak, he had his own record label, and magazine, and hosted Disco 2000, one of the biggest club nights in New York in the '90s. He was doing a lot of drugs, and as his addiction got worse, his party themes became darker and more twisted. Alig's saga reached its tragic crescendo when he viciously murdered his drug dealer, Angel, by injecting him with Drano and throwing him in the East River. The power he wielded on the club scene made him feel untouchable, so he didn't hesitate to boast of the murder. The press thought it was a publicity stunt--until Angel's body washed ashore.

Party Monster (2003) Movie Review:

Michael Alig was one of the infamous original ‘Club Kids’ of New York, who lived to have thrills.
His gender – bending party nights at the “Limelight” were the place to be seen, especially if you liked to indulge in outlandish fashions and trendy drugs.
The movie follows Alig, in the guise of Culkin, through the highs of his meteoric rise, right down to his spectacular fall, bragging on television of having murdered his own dealer, who was also his room - mate.
Seth Green plays his lover, James St James, whose book, “Disco Bloodbath”, was the basis for the film.

The movie begins with the creative, but lost, Alig arriving alone in New York, where he happens upon James St James (Green), in a fast food joint, and charms him into teaching him the New York club etiquette.
The first thing to note about Party Monster is that it has little perception of the passage of time. This effectively conveys the effects of ketamine, ecstasy and heroin on the characters drug addled heads. Even their cat is on drugs. As they become more reliant on substances, their ‘memories’ become increasingly foggy.
Parts of the tale are described reflectively by the affected and decadent Alig, as he and St James debate the story’s nuances from the bed of a dingy flat.
Then suddenly, you are plunged into the vibrancy and colour of their history.
Culkin appears to be striving for arch-camp, but his turn is less convincing and natural than Green’s. He captures the superficiality of Alig’s character well, but some of his lines fall flat, as they seem devoid of genuine emotion.


It is only when his vulnerability kicks in that you can see his real potential, and it is there, but doesn’t get a chance to shine through until the latter part of the movie, when the lost – little boy aspects of the character begin to emerge.
The character is complex to the verge of psychopathic, and it is a brave role for Culkin to take. He succeeds in pushing some, but not all of the buttons.
As previously mentioned, Seth Green is magnificent in this film, a real surprise and compelling to watch. He conveys carefree flippancy and it appears to come to him effortlessly. He also seems to have the lion’s share of the wittiest lines, and delivers them with such relish. His comedic roots certainly stand him in good stead here. On top of this he really suits make-up and fluffy kitten heels!
Marylin Manson has a small role as Christina, a club regular. S/he has a similar sort of presence as Hopper in Easy Rider, staggering around mumbling and providing comic relief without really doing much, bless him. He seems to be enjoying himself, and plays a large part in one of the funniest scenes.
Chloe Sevingy plays a girlfriend of Alig’s, but as her part comes later in the movie she is left with little to do but giggle. Her character is not really developed upon, which is a shame, as she is more capable than this.
Cruz, who plays the drug - dealer Angel, is effective as the initially star struck follower who snaps when his drugs are vacuumed up but not paid for.
The direction is frenetic, in a good way, and really captures the feel of the era, getting sweaty and claustrophobic amongst the crowds of club kids. The garish flyers whirling around on screen add a touch of authenticity.
The sets, especially the dingy apartment, provide contrast with their luxurious tastes in fashion and high – living, creating a parallel between the reality of their messy lives and their distorted view of themselves as glamourous beings.
However, it does appear that there may have been some over-editing - just a feeling, but it seems as though towards the end things have been rushed to a conclusion.
Considering this is a conclusion of some magnitude, it does seem to have been trivialised, and there is a feeling that this should have been explored further. To virtually ignore this dark side of their tale, and indeed Culkin’s character, is disappointing, as we are offered only glimpses.

It’s possible that this was due to the drugs, lack of facts and mythology surrounding the case, but still seems overly vague.
“Party Monster” is worth a look, as it is sometimes messy but always original. It would have been a better film if it had pulled back from the party and shown us more of the monster.

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Party Monster (2003) review written by: Terresa Gaffney