DVD Review: Party Monster (B-)

Party Monster (2003)
Directed by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato
Starring Macaulay Culkin, Seth Green, Diana
Scarwid, Marilyn Manson, Chlo‘ Sevigny, Wilmer
Valderrama, and Dylan McDermott
MPAA: R
Grade: B-

Review by Scott Standish

The true story of Michael Alig, king of the club kids, has finally made it onto the big screen. Based on the book Disco Bloodbath by Alig side kick James St. James, Party Monster chronicles Alig's life, from misunderstood youngster in the midwest, to heroin fiend murderer in the big apple. Obviously, this is not a film that will be on most people's short list, but it does have it's moments.

Alig took club promotion in the New York club land to the extreme by throwing insane, costume filled, drug fueled parties that made Studio 54 seem like a bible study group. Were talking people dressed up like chickens, brides covered in blood, and kids dressed like trolls. Hey, when you are on Special K (their drug of choice) it all probably made sense and there was no doubt that Alig's parties were always the best (as long as the cops
didn't show up).

The casting of Culkin in the role of Alig (reportedly he was their first and only choice) dooms what would have otherwise been a very, very good film. Culkin just does not come across as evil enough for Party Monster, no matter how much the role screams for it. Seth Green does a passable James St. James, indie queen Chloe Sevigny is very good as Alig's gal pal Gitsie and Wilmer Valderrama (Fez from That 70's Show!) is actually pretty
decent as the vacant DJ Keoki. Marilyn Manson is completely wasted in a bit part as Christina, Alig's first "superstar". If only Alig would have been played by someone else with a darker edge (sigh).

Party Monster has a great visual style, excellent music and the directors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato do a great job of keeping the story moving along. Bailey and Barbato also directed the excellent Eyes of Tammy Faye, a documentary about the life of Tammy Faye Bakker.

Curious about the whole "club kid" thing of the 80's? Party Monster is certainly worth a rental. Bailey and Barbato also directed a 57 minute documentary on Alig back in 98.

Buy Party Monster On DVD