24 Hour Party People (R)

Excellent movie about punk's origins; 17+ only.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Miramax
  • Directed By: Michael Winterbottom
  • Cast: Steve Coogan, John Thomson, Nigel Pivaro
  • Running Time: 117 minutes
  • Release Date: 08/16/2002
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 01/21/2003
  • Genre: Drama
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • MPAA Explanation: drug use, language, sexuality, and violence

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that although this film is intelligent and witty, it contains extremely strong language (mainly British curse words) and lots of drug use by the bands, as well as sexual references and situations. There are also some fistfights and a suicide.

Families can talk about why this rebellious music became popular when it did. Why do you think this musical/cultural movement was so tied to a world of drugs and self-destruction? Why did Wilson have the faith that he had in the self-destructive characters, and how did the Hacienda Club and Factory Records fly out of his control?

Message

Social Behavior:

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Lots of drugs and drinking.

Violence

Mainly comic violence, but also includes some fistfights and one suicide.

Sex

Full of sexual references and situations.

Language

Lots of bad language throughout.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Nell Minow

24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE is a film about the early days of punk music that should give some extra exposure to its talented cast and the mainly underground music it covers. The star is Steve Coogan, a remarkable talent who shines as Tony Wilson, a Manchester TV news reporter looking to make his mark. After witnessing an early concert by the Sex Pistols, who are on the verge of shaking up England, he gets his station to televise one of their performances. Soon he is participating in a revolution as he gives exposure to the Clash, the Buzzcocks, and several other pioneering punk acts. He comes to devote himself to it full-time, founding the groundbreaking Factory Records as well as the Hacienda Club, which is now considered the birthplace of Rave culture. Along the way, he watches the rise, fall, and tumultuous careers of now-infamous acts Joy Division, New Order, and the Happy Mondays.

Is it any good?

4
Funny, smart, and exciting, this film has some of the best dialogue you'll hear ("I was postmodern before it was fashionable!" is one of many standouts), and Coogan's narration will have you in stitches, blow your mind, and make you look forward to seeing his next film. The entire cast, an ensemble of eclectic British characters that Guy Ritchie would be proud of, turn in great performances, but after Coogan the most noteworthy is probably Sean Harris as Joy Division's Ian Curtis, capturing all the distinctive aspects of one of rock's most tragic figures.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

5

Posted on 07/01/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Yep!

I think it very, very will going to show that to little baby.
5


Posted on 05/18/07 by nvnnbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb Kid contributor, age 6

Adult Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

5

Posted on 07/01/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Yep!

I think it very, very will going to show that to little baby.

Kids Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

5


Posted on 05/18/07 by nvnnbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb Kid contributor, age 6
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53 votes