Have you ever watched a film and thought - WOW! I want to go to that party?
There are the traditional films that make use feel like we can’t breathe: Bridesmaids, Eurotrip, American Pies, The Great Gatsby, The Wolf of Wallstreet, etc. etc. etc.
I’m interested in the more nuanced, this is a party but there is so much more going on here, type scenes. Here are a few I am going to brag about:
THOROUGHBREDS (2017) - Directed by Cory Finley
Childhood friends Lily and Amanda reconnect in suburban Connecticut after years of growing apart. Lily has turned into a polished upper-class teenager who has a fancy boarding school on her transcript and a coveted internship on her resume. Amanda has developed a sharp wit and her own particular attitude but all in the process of becoming a social outcast. Though they initially seem completely at odds, the pair eventually bond and hatch a plan to solve both of their problems.
WHY DO I LOVE THE PARTY SCENE?
First of all, the intense soundtrack of Tribe Called Red ft. Tanya Tagaq gives the scene so much energy. The lighting and strobe effect add to the overall tense feel. Of course the two lead actors, Olivia Cooke & Anya Taylor-Joy, bring so much emotion (or no emotion) to every scene and it’s just a glorious mix.
While this film centres around a murder plot devised by two child-hood friends, it was doubly funny to me how “normal” teenage events played out with a sense of eerie bordedom that was way more interesting then watching a typical high school party where everyone was having fun. The lurking and menacing drive of the characters makes this film so layered and nuanced. Truly one of my favourite films.
BOOKSMART (2019) - Directed by Olivia Wilde
Academic overachievers Amy and Molly thought keeping their noses to the grindstone gave them a leg up on their high school peers. But on the eve of graduation, the best friends suddenly realize that they may have missed out on the special moments of their teenage years.
WHY DO I LOVE THE PARTY SCENE?
First of all… party scene(s) - plural. There are several different parties that Amy and Molly (Kaitlyn Dever & Beanie Feldstein) visit throughout the course of the film. Each one more wild and hilarious. It was a refreshing take on the coming-of-age story that didn’t involve the typical “dumb-blond” hottie characters and from what I remember… zero nudity.
Thank YOU Olivia Wilde! Wish I had had this gem growing up.
SOMEONE GREAT (2019) - Directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
First of all… Gina Rodriguez, Dewanda Wise, LaKeith Stanfield and Brittany Snow.
Do I just leave it there?
In all seriousness, WATCH THIS FILM. It speaks volumes to a modern female voice and really twists the conventional romantic genre by delivering a surprisingly beautiful ending that doesn’t involve a guy (SHOCKING I KNOW).
Best party scene in this film? Party for two + Lizzo.
HOW TO BE SINGLE (2016) - Directed by Christian Ditter
Another great example of a young modern female voice. Also, watching Rebel Wilson in anything is just so lovely. This has the humour and awkward moments that are so real to life.
There’s a right way to be single, a wrong way to be single, and then…there’s Alice. And Robin. Lucy. Meg. Tom. David. New York City is full of lonely hearts seeking the right match, be it a love connection, a hook-up, or something in the middle. And somewhere between the teasing texts and one-night stands, what these unmarrieds all have in common is the need to learn how to be single in a world filled with ever-evolving definitions of love. Sleeping around in the city that never sleeps was never so much fun. “How to Be Single” stars Dakota Johnson (“Fifty Shades of Grey”), Rebel Wilson (“Pitch Perfect”) & Leslie Mann (“This is 40,”).
RUSSIAN DOLLS (Season 1, Episode 1)
The never ending party scene episode.
Premise of show: A cynical young woman in New York City keeps dying and returning to the party that's being thrown in her honour on that same evening. She tries to find a way out of this strange time loop.
Grungy, crude, and just so much fun to watch. Who doesn’t like Natasha Lyonne? (hypothetical question - the answer is no one)
And where Director Ellen and Writer/Actor Kelly from Sofa Queens drew their inspiration.
EPISODE 3
This episode was longer than the other two because we really took advantage of the additional b-roll Kelly and Ellen shot. We tried to make this as interesting as possible while also maintaining the web series (short-form) structure and also Kelly’s whimsical and a-typical humour.
Watch it here: