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| Patricia Clarkson and Bruno Ganz - The Party |
A fancy dinner party which goes horribly wrong is a familiar theme, but it is extremely well executed in this black comedy film by director and screenwriter Sally Potter. With an exceptional, experienced cast of Patricia Clarkson, Cillian Murphy, Timothy Spall, Cherry Jones, Kristin Scott Thomas and Bruno Ganz there are a range of cringe-worthy, farcical moments which will leave the viewer chuckling non stop throughout. Filmed in monochrome and at only 71 minutes, this is a well-paced story with various revelations coming to light in perfect timing in the dinner party from hell.
The storyline centres on career politician, Janet (Kristin Scott Thomas) who has just been elevated to being a Government Cabinet Minister (the Minister for Health as it transpires). Her dreadful dinner guests arrive including Janet's super cynical best friend April (Patricia Clarkson) to help her celebrate but events soon travel downward as each guest shows they conceal many secrets. Janet's husband, Bill reveals he is terminally ill and thereafter announces he is leaving Janet for another woman, being the estranged wife of one of the other guests. Martha (Cherry Jones) and Jinny (Emily Mortimer) a lesbian couple announce they are expecting triplets (all boys) but Martha has reservations. April drops one liner observations on all the disclosures which further scandalise the proceedings.
This is a film for baby boomers and Generation X rather than Millenials with many references to the political perspectives of older age groups and new age hippies. The film could easily be transferred to a live on-stage theatre production but is equally successful on screen.
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