24 Hour Party People

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24 Hour Party People ★★ 2001 (R)

Winterbottom's tribute to the late ‘70s through early ‘90s punk rock/rave/ acid culture of his native Manchester as seen through the bleary eyes of reallife figure Tony Wilson (Coogan). Wilson is a presenter for Granada TV when he's inspired by a Sex Pistols performance to open a club, the Hacienda, to showcase local bands, including Joy Division (which morphs into New Order) and the Happy Mondays. He also starts Factory Records—both of which eventually fail, thanks to drugs and general craziness. Filmed in a semidocumentary style with Wilson's asides to camera commenting on the scenes. 115m/C VHS, DVD . GB Steve Coogan, Lennie James, Shirley Henderson, Paddy Considine, Andy Serkis, John Simm, Danny Cunningham, Keith Allen, Sean Harris, Chris Coghill, Paul Popplewell; D: Michael Winterbottom; W: Frank Cottrell-Boyce; C: Robby Muller.