24 Hour Party People (2002)

It might not be all true, but it is all entertaining

First of all, if you have any interest in the Manchester music scene starting in '76 and ending just before Oasis hit, you need to watch this movie. Second of all, if you want to know more of the real story, watch the movie with the commentary by Tony Wilson. He tells some of what "really" happened, although he tells it with a favorable bent towards himself. It is still one of my favorite all time movies, and because of it I can't listen to "Atmosphere" without bursting into tears, both for Ian and a friend of mine that used to cover it that recently passed away due to epilepsy. R.I.P. Ian and Derek. July 2, 2008

The Rise and Fall of the Manchester Music Scene.

"I don't want to say too much, don't want to spoil it. I'll just say one word: 'Icarus.' If you get it, great. If you don't, that's fine too. But you should probably read more."--Tony Wilson, introducing the film 24 Hour Party People.

24 Hour Party People is a 2002 film about Manchester's Factory Records music scene between the years 1976 to 1997, featuring music by the phenomenal bands Joy Division, New Order, A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and the Happy Mondays, among others. The film opens at a June 1976 Sex Pistols' gig at the Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall. Despite the fact that there were only 42 people at the concert, impresario/TV personality Tony Wilson (played by Steve Coogan) notes the concert was a great historical event, becoming the inspiration for those in attendance to "go out and perform wondrous deeds." After the Sex Pistols' show, Wilson starts Factory Records, signing Joy Division as its first act. Soon Joy Division has a hit record, but its success is cut short when lead singer Ian Curtis (played by Sean Harris) hangs himself on the eve of Joy Division's U.S. tour. The remaining members rename the band as New Order and record the hit song "Blue Monday." Factory Records then signs the Happy Mondays, sparking the rave culture. Meanwhile, Wilson discovers his wife Lindsay (Shirley Henderson) having sex in a toilet stall with the Buzzcocks' Howard Devoto. (In a cameo the real Devoto, says to the camera, "I definitely don't remember this happening.") The film documents the fascinating rise and fall of Manchester rock history, and features a superb soundtrack, including songs from the Sex Pistols, the Happy Mondays, Joy Division, New Order, Simply Red, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Iggy Pop, The Durutti Column, The Jam, the Buzzcocks, The Clash, and The Stranglers.

G. Merritt June 23, 2008

"Let a thousand Mancunians bloom..."

Just great, and a lot of fun. This is a thoroughly British film about the 1980's Manchester scene that captures the energy of the Hacienda club days. The movie doesn't beg American audiences to know a lot about the music, though it helps to know a few hits by Joy Division and Happy Mondays. Steve Coogan as Tony Wilson is a bit of perfect casting. The band portrayals -- Sean Harris as Ian Curtis, especially -- are very good, and the cameos are fun to spot (Howard Devoto is a standout). The movie is intelligent, funny and sarcastic; lots of music, lots of dialogue go by without apology or explanation, and the film comes off as a documentary although it's a carefully-staged fictional retelling of musical history. Fans of early British rave culture will enjoy it; casual American viewers may be confused at first, but the energy and humor eventually comes through. May 23, 2008

R.I.P. Tony Wilson

First off R.I.P. Tony Wilson (he died 8-11-07)... I just can not put into words how great this movie is. The dark portrayal of Ian Curtis (look out for 'Closer' a movie about him in the US Oct 10-07) to the goofy druggers Happy Mondays, this is like 2 movies for the price of one. My favorite scene maybe in cinema history is when the actor Wilson is narrating a scene that we are watching of Vini Reilly (Duruti Column) walking out of a storage room . A non-sensible unrelating 'cameo' to the movie's plot at first, but the narrator actor Wilson says this scene didn't make the final cut!!!?? HA! Brilliant, sorry but it did make the final cut because it was just shown.
I recommend watching this with the actual Tony Wilson commentary on, wow the loads of info that pours through thy speakers.. Beyond five stars and thanks to the real Tony Wilson for enriching my life with art and music both sincere and beautiful. And thanks to the makers of this movie for explaining to me the man behind my fond memories growing up on Factory music. I just saw the art and heard the music now years later I see the story
August 15, 2007

Huge entertainment!

A mandatory item for New Order fans like me.
Nothing else is necessary to be said. Just watch it! January 11, 2007

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