24 Hour Party People

Name: 24 Hour Party People
Genre: Biography, Drama, Comedy, Music
Released: August 9, 2002
Duration: 117 min
Rating: 85
Cast: Lennie James, Steve Coogan

2002

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 29 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 103 Ratings

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8.3

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8.3	Your Score
8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 103 Ratings

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24 Hour Party People

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Movie Details & Credits

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corporation (MGM) | Release Date: August 9, 2002 | TV-MA

Starring: Lennie James, Steve Coogan

Summary: Spanning from the late 1970's to the early 1990's, this is the story of the Manchester music scene, as seen by the founders of the legendary Factory Records label.

Director: Michael Winterbottom

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Comedy, Music

Rating: TV-MA

Runtime: 117 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

David Sterritt

Extravagant and funny it is, and also quite dark at times. Read full review

100

Jonathan Curiel

Funny, riveting look at the music scene that ruled Manchester, England, from 1976 to 1992. Read full review

Brendan Bernhard

The movie's a rave and a half. Read full review

Megan Lehmann

This wonderful party of a movie, as totally original as its hero, stamps on a smiley face that will linger for hours. Read full review

Keith Phipps

A funny, unexpectedly inspiring story of excess, poor choices, and unwavering high-mindedness, all tied to that quintessential bit of rock wisdom: Icarus did fall, but first he flew. Read full review

Evelyn McDonnell

A strange art-house film, a must-see for punks and nightclubbers, a puzzle for the merely curious. Read full review

Jack Mathews

Personally, I'd rather have my brain invaded by flesh-eating beetles than listen to 10 seconds of the Sex Pistols -- Truth is, I've rarely had a worse time watching a good movie. Read full review

SEE ALL 29 REVIEWS

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User Reviews

NazaraiA.

Feb 20, 2007

Great look at the early punk scene in Manchester. I do agree with some of the user critics that the first half of the film is kind of slow but that critique is probably due to it's psuedo-documentary style (I found it compelling enough as a teen viewer however). Halfway through the Great look at the early punk scene in Manchester. I do agree with some of the user critics that the first half of the film is kind of slow but that critique is probably due to it's psuedo-documentary style (I found it compelling enough as a teen viewer however). Halfway through the running time of the film is when things start to pick up and the punk transforms from new wave and into the early rave scene. Loving electronica and being born in 86' and missing out on the early scene it was a great 'ear' opener albeit knowing all the artists featured. Steve Coogan's performance is truly original, one of the best i've seen lately in modern cinema. Don't see this if you're just looking for a comedy; If you're a fan of music, and can appreciate some oddball humor you won't be disappointed.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

geewah

Jan 14, 2021

One of the best music movies to be made, and one of 2002's best.
A tale of madness, excess, success, and tragedy in this story of the influential Factory Records and Manchester music scene.
Did I mention how good the music is?

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Necromus

Dec 4, 2012

This movie is the story history of Factory Records which created many great bands such as Joy Division/New Order and The Happy Mondays. It's kind of like "This is Spinal Tap" except that was fiction, this one is true. And that makes the funny parts in 24 hour party people even more funnyThis movie is the story history of Factory Records which created many great bands such as Joy Division/New Order and The Happy Mondays. It's kind of like "This is Spinal Tap" except that was fiction, this one is true. And that makes the funny parts in 24 hour party people even more funny because it's true!!! If you are a fan of the Britpop, Madchester or punk scenes then you should see this movie to get a sense of the scenes that music originated from.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

tonyGreen

Aug 17, 2021

This highly entertaining film covers a lot of bases. It has great music, a compelling story (based on real events) and real heart. Recommended.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Spangle

Apr 17, 2016

24 Hour Party People is one heck of a film. Off-the-wall and truly odd, 24 Hour Party People is both a compelling biopic of Tony Wilson, the man behind Factory Records, a film about the bands who he worked with, and a film about the Manchester music scene. Told in a news broadcast fashion24 Hour Party People is one heck of a film. Off-the-wall and truly odd, 24 Hour Party People is both a compelling biopic of Tony Wilson, the man behind Factory Records, a film about the bands who he worked with, and a film about the Manchester music scene. Told in a news broadcast fashion thanks to Wilson's background as a reporter, the film frequently breaks the fourth wall to tell its tale and blends fact with fiction (while letting you know which is which along the way). Aside from the great music and the backgrounds behind it all, the film is a truly compelling drama that also tosses in some comedy that hits fairly often. Now, of course, this is a film that will not be for everyone. It is quite oddly told and its glorification of the era may rub some the wrong way, but as it stands, it is a truly vivacious and frenetic film that captures the drug-induced haze of the era, as well as its pure brilliance.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

jameslucasutley

Sep 26, 2015

24 Hour Party People starts off rather like Andrei Rublev, with the crashing of the flight of a man. After that, I wouldn't say there are many more similarities since this film is an often hilarious piece of work about the drug-filled Factory Records scene in mainly 1980s Manchester. As Tony24 Hour Party People starts off rather like Andrei Rublev, with the crashing of the flight of a man. After that, I wouldn't say there are many more similarities since this film is an often hilarious piece of work about the drug-filled Factory Records scene in mainly 1980s Manchester. As Tony Wilson (played by the brilliant Steve Coogan here) says in the film, it's not really much about him despite being a Tony Wilson biopic: it's about the music.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ERG1008

Sep 13, 2010

The fall & rise of Anthony (Tony) H. Wilson & his part in Manchester's cultural uprisings.
It looked a lot of fun to make but I found it a bit too self-indulgent.
Steve Coogan does tend to be more like Alan Partridge than Wilson although there are some similarities. The Joy Division bitsThe fall & rise of Anthony (Tony) H. Wilson & his part in Manchester's cultural uprisings.
It looked a lot of fun to make but I found it a bit too self-indulgent.
Steve Coogan does tend to be more like Alan Partridge than Wilson although there are some similarities.
The Joy Division bits seem a bit lame now, especially if you've watched the fantastic Control.
Great performances by Danny Cunningham as Shaun Ryder & Andy Serkis as Martin Hannett though.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

SEE ALL 9 REVIEWS

13	#13 Best Movie of 2002
96	#96 Most Discussed Movie of 2002
100	#100 Most Shared Movie of 2002