24 Hour Party People

2002 Comedy Drama

This digital-video biopic uses the life of journalist, record mogul and club owner Tony Wilson to frame the story of the Manchester, England, music scene from the heyday of punk through the late-'80s "Madchester" era. As the founder of staunchly independent Factory Records, Wilson (Steve Coogan) shepherded the careers of doomed post-punk combo Joy Division, synth-pop superstars New Order and hedonistic louts the Happy Mondays. Along the way, he helped bring rave culture to Britain under the aegis of the legendary Hacienda nightclub. 24 Hour Party People follows Wilson from his conversion to punk at a seminal Sex Pistols concert through the suicide of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis, the overwhelming success of New Order and the eventual dissolution of the Factory empire thanks to bad business decisions, underworld ties and the hedonistic excess of the Happy Mondays. Directed by Michael Winterbottom and written by frequent collaborator Frank Cottrell Boyce, 24 Hour Party People features cameos from a large number of Manchester music luminaries. The supporting cast includes Shirley Henderson and John Simm, both of whom appeared in Winterbottom's Wonderland, while the film's title comes from a Happy Mondays song. more..

Director: Michael Winterbottom

Starring: Steve Coogan, Shirley Henderson,Paddy Considine, Sean Harris, Danny Cunningham

Reviews

  • "Print the legend," Mr. Wilson says at one point, both quoting John Ford and laying the foundation for his own often fact-free fabulous fabulism. And this movie is just that -- fabulous.

    A.O. Scott - The New York Times

    29 November 2012

  • Shines with a kind of inspired madness.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    29 November 2012

  • Like the music, the film is outspoken, roaringly funny, defiantly sexual and relentlessly in your face. I couldn't have liked it more.

    Peter Travers - Rolling Stone

    29 November 2012

  • Funny, riveting look at the music scene that ruled Manchester, England, from 1976 to 1992.

    Jonathan Curiel - The San Francisco Chronicle

    29 November 2012

  • Amazing, rich in authentic period atmosphere and detail, an ever-changing cyclorama of a movie.

    Kevin Thomas - Los Angeles Times

    29 November 2012

Awards

  • Best Achievement in Production

    British Independent Film Awards (2002)

  • Michael Winterbottom

    Cannes Film Festival (2002)

     
  • Best Supporting Actor

    Chlotrudis Awards (2003)

     
  • Michael Winterbottom

    Emden International Film Festival (2003)

     
  • Best British Actor

    Empire Awards, UK (2003)