24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE

8/10

UK 2002 : Michael Winterbottom : c120 mins

Just got back from seeing 24HPP, am starting to get over the experience of watching it. Moulin Rouge / Velvet Goldmine are the closest comparisons in terms of subject and quality: I liked Winterbottom’s last 2, Wonderland and The Claim, but this is a level above.

Enough historical context is provided so that even viewers with little or no knowledge of the subject will be able to follow it - though but will of course have extra resonance for those who were around at the time: the Ian Curtis section was always going to be downbeat, but I didn't expect it to be quite so shatteringly tragic - I was in tears. Several hysterically funny sequences, however, and outstanding central performance from Coogan as Tony Wilson, holding it all together. Script is strong suit - directorial input more uneven. Nearly all on shaky DV, but it works.

The first really strong British film I've seen since Sexy Beast.