Party
Monster (1998) (*1/2)
review by Jon
Waterman
Michael Alig is a Club Kid. He supports himself by partying.
Back in the late 1980s, many people made a living through being
paid to show up in elaborate costumes and project their elitist
image on various parties. Alig was king and master promoter
of the New York scene. He revived downtown when celebrity appearances
were waning. His ego got inflated and he felt invincible. He
took all sorts of drugs and constantly lived the party lifestyle
to the fullest. One night, he took things too far and killed
drug dealer/club kid Angel, cut up his body, put it in a box
and threw it in the ocean. What motivated him to do this? Was
it actually just an extension or progression of the club kid
way of life?
Directors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato are out to discover
just that. They interview all the living key players and a
few supporting people to get inside the mind of not only Alig,
but also the entire community they created. What drew them
in to this environment to begin with were the glamour and the
fame and the respect and the money they got for doing virtually
nothing. All they had to do was have fun and drink. The further
they went into the scene the less glamorous they became. The
drugs took their toll and the stakes needed constant raising
in order to keep par. The parties continued to become more
and more grotesque and off the wall as the hallucinogenic drugs
took a stronger hold. The build up is interesting and quite
clear, almost to a point where it’s not a shock that
Alig committed the crime.
This is a low-budget effort. The lighting and video quality
represent the small cost, but do well for what they are. They
use colorful backgrounds and appropriate scenery for the interviews.
Where the true fascination lies is within all the video footage
and how huge these people were. It’s astounding to see
the stuff they got away with and the lengths they were willing
to go. I didn’t find myself caring for Angel. They sensationalized
his murder through harsh text and looming, dark music. They
failed to put a human side to him. We don’t learn anything
about him that makes us necessarily care that this specific
drug dealer is dead.
Alig’s interview is too short. He’s such an intriguing
character that he should have been utilized more. Bailey and
Barbato refuse to delve deep within his personality to really
give the documentary a much-needed pop. Also, if they have
interviews then they shouldn’t need any text explaining
the backstory. The subjects should be able to relate that information
to the cameras. There is true potential in the story, even
without the murder subplot (and it is basically a subplot).
It’s just not realized to its fullest potential. This
party is over.
respond to jon@filmbrats.com
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