24 hour party people

I just got out of 24 Hour Party People and I’m blown away. It’s about the real Tony Wilson, a TV reporter in Manchester, who went on to help launch bands like Joy Division, New Order and Happy Mondays.

It’s an interesting story and the movie tells it like no story has ever been told. The Tony Wilson character is also the narrator for the movie. Then to make it even more self-referential the real Tony Wilson and various other luminaries from the real history play other parts in the movie. As the narrator he not only tells us what has happened and what will happen later in history, but he also knows how the movie is edited together. As the narrator he points out scenes that didn’t make it into the final cut that will be in the DVD extras. I can’t think of any other movie where it’s so self-aware of its medium. Tony Wilson even takes time to point out symbolism in the movie.

I was blown away by the story, the way it’s told and the unbelievable craftsmanship that went into making it. Hopefully this movie will be an inspiration to others, the way the first Sex Pistols gig in Manchester was that the film talks about. I’ve got to see it again.