24 Hour Party People (2002)

Directed by Michael Winterbottom. Starring Steve Coogan, Lennie James, Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, John Thomson, Sean Harris, Rob Brydon, Andy Serkis, Danny Cunningham, Peter Kay. [R]

Exciting, hysterically funny pseudo-historical document of Manchester news reporter Tony Wilson (Coogan), who recognized that the music world was on the verge of a seismic change at the advent of the punk rock era, and went out to found Factory Records and open the nightclub Haçienda, which would go on to become the epicenter of the Madchester rave scene. Writer Frank Cottrell Boyce compiles a lot of material as offbeat, sarcastic references given the solemnity of earth-shaking truth and substance, while director Winterbottom plays around with film stocks, editing tricks, fourth-wall breaks, and contradictory declarations in developing its aggressively in-the-moment aesthetic, as well as a real-life subject too undaunted to be tactful and too courageous to be clever, which makes him the exact person needed to navigate through the volatile but enthralling culture of disorder and excess. Coogan’s style of dry mockery and fatuous self-importance snugly fits inside of Wilson, and the two merge as one long before the film is over. Central music figures shown to be under Wilson’s wing include the members of Joy Division/New Order and Happy Mondays; their music fills the soundtrack, alongside many others, including archival performances from the likes of the Sex Pistols, Iggy Pop, and the Stranglers. Likely to play better to those already familiar with the scene and artists, but all are welcome to play. Features a slew of cameos from both professional actors (Simon Pegg, Christopher Eccleston, etc.) and parties that were involved in the dramatized scene (Wilson himself, Mark E. Smith, etc.).

87/100