Parents' Guide to

24 Hour Party People

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Excellent movie about punk's origins; older teens only.

Movie R 2002 117 minutes
24 Hour Party People Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 16+

Based on 2 parent reviews

doctora
doctora Parent of 6-year-old
July 7, 2022
age 16+

How Manchester changed music

This film is self-aware and has a great time with its influences and with those that it is featuring. Coogan is pitch perfect in his portrayal. Winterbottom is masterful and deft in how he handles the subject matter and is able to duck and dodge around the interpersonal relationships and center the music, which is what we all remember and which is what has endured from the Manchester scene (which growing up in LA in the 90s we all worshipped..okay I did anyway). You're not supposed to expect much from Manchester, from this scene, from everyone represented, but they end up changing everything and Winterbottom showcases that in a non sentimental way, keeping both the legend and the vibe intact.
MovieLover4Lyfe
MovieLover4Lyfe Adult
May 26, 2010
age 15+
I want to see this movie so badly!
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

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?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (2):

Funny, smart, and exciting, this film has some of the best dialogue you'll hear, 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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

Movie Details

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