Last Days of Disco

Starring: Chloe Sevigny, Kate Beckinsale
Director: Whit Stillman
Genre: Drama
Year: 1997
Rating: 2 / 5

When taking into consideration the merits of The Last Days of Disco, a 1997 film by Whit Stillman, I have been confronted with two rather differing opinions. The first rates this movie as a fascinating character study, the likes of which we rarely see in Hollywood anymore. The other declares the film to be intolerably dull, with little of anything to keep the viewer's interest. I regret to say that, despite all of the critical praise heaped upon this movie, I find the latter opinion to be far more accurate, only I would suggest that it does not go far enough. I view this film as a completely boring experience, devoid of a single major character for whom we can root. While the acting is certainly up to par, the dialogue is anything but entertaining, and I do not empathize with any of the characters.

Set in the early 1980s, in the proverbial "last days of disco," Charlotte (Kate Beckinsale) and Alice (Chloe Sevigny) are two former classmates from vastly different circles who find themselves working at the same publishing house. Never truly friends, these two are nonetheless brought together as roommates, thanks in large part to the annoying insistence of Charlotte. As these two seek to find their way in the working world, they also seek to find direction in their personal lives, leading them to explore the electric New York nightlife. During their excursions on the town, the young ladies run into various "gentlemen": honest, sincere Tom (Robert Sean Leonard); slimy, slick Des (Chris Eigeman); district attorney Josh (Matthew Keeslar); and advertising executive Jimmy (MacKenzie Astin). As the story progresses, these men hop into and out of the lives of these two women, likewise seeking a purpose in their own lives.

Charlotte is readily identifiable as the social-climbing bitch - pardon the language - we have all known in our lives. She is pushy, manipulative, and can turn on a friend if given the slightest opportunity. Alice is the shy, bookish type, unwilling to be too vocal for fear of offending, yet too prone to being controlled by the strong personalities of others. That being said, it is easy to see how Charlotte and Alice could end up together, yet that makes it no less painful to watch. Des is the stereotypical womanizing male, willing to say just about anything to get a woman in bed. Tom, navigating through some relationship difficulties, appears to be a decent fellow, as does Jimmy, a man whose nightlife is a constant quest to keep up with the responsibilities of his job. Nonetheless, none of these characters are truly compelling, and precious few are likeable still.

The Last Days of Disco is indeed a character study, but it is neither remarkable nor fascinating. I will not fault the actors for this atrocity, for they manage to hold their own in spite of a weak story. Chloe Sevigny is convincing as the shy, withdrawn Alice, but the rest of the actors do little to help salvage the film. What the appeal of this movie is, I will never know. I will just have to rest easy with the hope that the prevailing opinions do hold - that dull, boring character studies such this are not seen in Hollywood anymore. If only the viewing public could be so lucky...

Cast:

Chloe Sevigny..........	Alice Kinnon
Kate Beckinsale..........	Charlotte Pingress
Chris Eigeman..........	Des McGrath
MacKenzie Astin..........	Jimmy Steinway
Robert Sean Leonard..........	Tom Platt

Certification: Rated R for some sexuality.
Running Time: 113 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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