54 (1998) Online

1998 Ryan Phillippe Salma Hayek Neve Campbell Mark Christopher

Original Title :: 54
Genre :: Movie / Drama / Music
Year :: 1998
Directror :: Mark Christopher
Cast :: Ryan Phillippe,Salma Hayek,Neve Campbell
Writer :: Mark Christopher
Budget :: $13,000,000
Type :: Movie
Time :: 1h 33min
Rating :: 5.8/10

The famous 1970s New York City nightclub seen and told through the eyes of a young employee.

54 (1998) Online

An anthology film retelling the story of the famous Studio 54, a hot disco hangout for the social elite of New York. The movie follows several characters at once, some of whom are in desperate straits and on the verge of crashing.

Cast overview, first billed only:
	Ryan Phillippe	-	Shane O'Shea
	Salma Hayek	-	Anita Randazzo
	Neve Campbell	-	Julie Black
	Mike Myers	-	Steve Rubell
	Sela Ward	-	Billie Auster
	Breckin Meyer	-	Greg Randazzo
	Sherry Stringfield	-	Viv
	Ellen Albertini Dow	-	Disco Dottie
	Cameron Mathison	-	Atlanta
	Noam Jenkins	-	Romeo
	Jay Goede	-	Buck
	Patrick Taylor	-	Tarzan
	Heather Matarazzo	-	Grace O'Shea
	Skipp Sudduth	-	Harlan O'Shea
	Aemilia Robinson	-	Kelly O'Shea

Ryan Phillippe was not a fan of the film, as he didn't like the way the producers gutted the film of the bulk of its sexual and drug-taking content.

In 2008, about a decade after its original theatrical debut, Writer and Director Mark Christopher assembled a bootleg Director's Cut of the film, with forty-five minutes of never before seen footage, and unofficially screened it at New York's Outfest around July-August 2008. This version reinstated the blatant promiscuity and bisexuality of Ryan Phillippe's character, as well as the film's core love triangle between Phillippe, Salma Hayek, and Breckin Meyer which the Miramax studio forced him to cut from the original release.

In February 2015, a one hundred five minute Director's Cut of the film, which includes over thirty minutes of footage from the original shoot which has never been seen in any previous cut, and deleting all but a few seconds of the studio-dictated re-shot footage, was screened in the Panorama section of the 65th Berlin International Film Festival. Mark Christopher has claimed that this version will be released on DVD and digitally some time in 2015.

Comedian Mike Myers' first dramatic role in a theatrical feature film, playing nightclub owner Steve Rubell.

Ryan Phillippe's character is based on Tieg Thomas, who worked at the legendary Studio 54 from 1977 to 1982.

In the end credits, Mike Myers' name appears next to a photo of Gilda Radner at Studio 54. When Myers was a boy, he played Radner's son in a Canadian television commercial, and both were cast members of Saturday Night Live (1975) (at different times).

The first film Mike Myers made in which he had no hand in writing.

The 2015 Director's Cut features a newly recorded voice-over by Ryan Phillippe.

Salma Hayek has confessed that she wished she hadn't made the film, as she felt her part was completely underwritten. She did concede that the film garnered her a lot of attention though.

The film's promotional "54" film title logo was set in the same font and design typeface as the actual Studio 54 logo.

Mark Christopher spent about five years writing and researching the disco era and Studio 54.

Though set in New York City, the majority of this film was actually shot in Toronto, Ontario in 1997. Principal photography for this movie was filmed during September, October and November 1997. Re-shoots of the picture were filmed in June 1998 only about two months before the film was due to launch in late August 1998. This additional photography was shot in New York City, and cast were not told the content of the scenes. The additional filming was conducted, due to the poor results from early test screenings. Ultimately, forty-five minutes of the original film was replaced with twenty-five minutes of new footage. The running time went from a two hour version to one around an hour and a half.

Mark Christopher turned in his original cut in early 1998. Studio reaction to this rough cut was very positive, but two preview screenings in Long Island, New York proved disastrous. Audiences complained that none of the characters were likable, and found much of the gay content uncomfortable. In particular, the kiss between Ryan Phillippe and Breckin Meyer yielded a negative reaction, with viewers complaining that neither actor seemed comfortable in the scene. Miramax head Harvey Weinstein ordered extensive re-shoots to alter the plot, removing most references to Phillipe's character's bisexuality, expanding Neve Campbell's role as a love interest, and adding a new ending. Ultimately, the film didn't fare better with critics or audiences, and Christopher's original cut became something of a legend among film enthusiasts. Bootleg copies of the Director's Cut circulated for years, before an official announcement in 2015 of an official release.

Film debut of Heidi Klum.

This film was released in the same year as another disco movie, The Last Days of Disco (1998). Production of that film was accelerated in order to get it released before 54 (1998) which it beat to theaters by about three months.

The disco era covered in this movie spans from the summer of 1979 to 1981 while Studio 54 was run by Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager.

Dolph Lundgren was considered for the role of Greg Randazzo.

Mark Christopher was inspired by Cabaret (1972) and had it screened during production.

When Steve (Mike Myers) whispers into the interviewer's ear about how much the club makes a night, he can be faintly heard saying, "750 Thousand Dollars."

Film debut of Sheryl Crow.

Film debut of Michael Pitt.

The original production shoot for this movie ran for about two months. Re-shoots ran for two weeks, and were held about six to seven months later.

The Warhol painting in Steve's bedroom is Sela Ward.

Debut theatrical feature film of Director Mark Christopher.

Disco Dottie is based on Sally Lippman Born in 1900, Sally Lippman earned her "Disco Sally" moniker through the crazy dance moves she brought to Studio 54 during her widowhood.The grand-matriarch of nightlife, known for her wild dancing even at an advanced age, was the ultimate club kid.

Production studio Miramax developed a partial screenplay in 1995, and acquired the rights to this movie in 1997.

Justin Bartha appears unbilled as a clubgoer.

James Marsden was considered for the role of Shane O'Shea.

The movie was filmed in the actual Studio 54 on West 54th Street in Manhattan, N.Y. which was the original home of CBS Studios in New York City where The Ed Sullivan Show was filmed half the time. The studio is connected to the Ed Sullivan Theatre on Broadway where half the time Sullivan's Show was filmed, live. Beebe Stanley of " Beebe's Hollywood Bears" performed twice live in the 1950's and 1960's on the Ed Sullivan Show in both theaters and is the uncle of actress Arlene Fontaine who appeared as an extra in this movie. The Studio 54 club was also the filming location for United Artists 1957 movie " Sweet Smell Of Success" when the club was the original CBS Studios.

Actress Arlene Fontaine, born Simone Serena Peterson, was an uncredited extra in this movie who's only other movie credit is 1973 "Gordon's War". She is the niece of movie bear trainer Beebe Stanley

Due to the heavy-handed post-production influence of Harvey Weinstein, this film appears on a 2017 list in The Telegraph entitled "Harvey Scissorhands: 6 films ruined by Harvey Weinstein."

Film debut of Crystal Rose.

Second of four pairings between Mike Myers and Michael York, the others bring the Austin's Powers movies

The film was released just two weeks after the talk show Home & Family (1996) ended its run after 2 years.

User reviews

Thetalas

Why the poor box office performance? Why the bad reviews? Why the bad word of mouth? I really didn't see anything horrible about this movie! First of all, it's a character-driven story. There's little subplots involving jealousy and philandering, but it's not handled in a soapy fashion. I didn't feel any of the characters were one-dimensional.

Of course, Mike Myers steals the show as the homosexual club owner Steve Rubell. I don't know the real Steve Rubell, so you be the judge whether or not his performance was accurate, but I have to say that Myers did an incredible job! And I'm not overstating the least bit! You watch him in this movie and you totally forget that this is the same guy who played Austin Powers. Not to say I didn't realize Myers had talent prior to watching this film. He has definitely proven that he has talent as a comic actor, but I didn't know he had the chops to pull off a straight, dramatic role. Even his accent sounds real, not the least bit phony. I'm surprised Myers didn't even get an Oscar nod. He should've at least gotten the nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Trust me--you will be blown away by his performance in this movie!

The music is great. It's always great to reminisce to the great songs from the seventies. Mark Christopher nicely captured the whole rebellious atmosphere of 54. We're given a taste of the drug addiction and even the sexual promiscuity that made the place famous--there's a scene where a couple shamelessly pounds away on the balcony. I read one person's review, saying that this movie should've been an hour longer. I find it ironic that people watch movies that are two and a half to three hours long and complain, "Oh, this movie dragged! Oh, this movie needed more editing!" Yet they watch a succintly timed film like this and complain it's too short. This may not have been the most thorough examination of the famous nightclub, but I think it got to the point. No reason why we have to go into every tiny detail.

This is a serious, dramatic film but it's also very entertaining. I actually had a smile on my face when the movie ended. It ended on a happy note without having that forced, schmaltzy Hollywood feel. Plus, I really like that song "Knock on Wood" that they played over the credits.

My score: 7 (out of 10)

Fawrindhga

While the acting is pretty dull in this movie, Mike Myers proved that he can handle serious drama. Shortly after this movie came out, it was rumored that Mike Myers would receive an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for playing the Studio 54 owner. I would have strongly agreed with this nomination, and I only recommend 54 to anyone curious about the serious side of Mike Myers.

Jode

One does not usually expect a popular movie to be much good, namely because it caters to the tastes of a crowd, which are notoriously un-demanding. Rarely, however, one finds a film which delivers on its promises. This, fortunately, was one of these films. The acting was the high point of the film. Mike Myers wore his role like a skin, naturally and easily. Ryan Phillippe proved that despite occasional bursts of negative popular opinion he is more than a simple dime-a-dozen pretty boy, and possesses both skill and talent, both of which are put to good use. (And he is good looking, which despite all else, never hurts. But, let's not belabor the obvious). The filming was excellently done, with a good eye towards shock and an occasional shot of strangely unexpected beauty. The only real objection one could put to this film is that it was far too short. Several sub-plots came up which were either abandoned or underdeveloped, and the ending, while highly effective, had a slight air of "deus ex machina" about it. On the whole, though, a talented, unusually intelligent film with excellent actors and direction. Well worth watching.

Brol

This is, by no means, going on my 1998 Top Ten list, but I'm willing to cut it some slack. I thought it told the story quite well, and captured the rise and fall of Studio 54 wonderfully. The performances were all good, but it's Mike Myers that impressed the hell out of me. In this film he proved himself to be an actor, and a damn good one. Although I anxiously await the new Austin Powers flick, I hope that Myers keeps taking roles that force him to stretch his limits.

Vudozilkree

It's unknown to me why this movie got such a bad review from critics. There are alot of factual errors about the club, yes. But this seemed to be a great movie. Mike Myers was an excellent pick for Steve Rubell, he had the same personality as Rubell in the movie.

Another thing is the story is so interesting about Studio 54, it was a fad, hip, and unusual place for it's time. Not only that, the story of the controversial club is one that really is unknown to some.

The story might not be dead on accurate, and some of the characters might be factual, and there could be alot of mistakes in the movie, but it's still a great one to watch when you get past it.

I would suggest watching VH-1's Behind The Music on Studio 54 first before seeing the movie, for a clear understanding on the club. That way you don't get freaked out.

Qwne

Studio 54 was a swift, colourful flick that showed us the true ins and outs of the seventies. The only difference is that the writers remembered the seventies .. thus, they obviously didn't really live the seventies atmosphere to its fullest. Mr Ryan Phillippe, in my opinion, took on an enormous task in performing this role ... I mean who else could you get to wear tight clothing, push pills, make drinks, take sexual harassment from a male employer, and still look pretty? Ms Campbell' purpose in this movie showed young girls that you can get somewhere with talent and not just looks. Basically, the script was compelling, the acting was sought as half way and ended up getting three quarters ... so overall I say that this isn't that bad of a flick if you are looking for something out of the everyday norm. I gave this movie a rating of a "9" because it is a personal favourite of mine, and the casting was one of the best combos, for my taste in movies. - David Wills christian 11/01/99

Roru

When "54" got released, many critics claimed that it was just another attempt to get into the '70s nostalgia that had swept the country. It's more than that. The movie shows New York's Studio 54, an unusual club where young people danced to disco and could meet celebrities, as seen through the eyes of employee Shane O'Shea (Ryan Phillippe). At the end, he talks about, how after the government closed the place down, a corporation took it over and did what corporations always do: make the place safe and sterile. Steve Rubell (Mike Myers) built it up into a most unique hangout, and the corporation drained the life out of it.

So don't trust the critics. This was a really good movie.

Jorius

This movie should only be reviewed as the 2015's Director's Cut which is far superior to the original theatrical cut. While falling short of a masterpiece, the Director's Cut is an entertaining, fluent and fairly daring movie without the nonsensical and terrible re-shoot and editing decisions that sunk the earlier version.

Arlana

[Pssst! Hey you! Watch out! Some feisty little spoilers in the fourth paragraph.]

The dangers of making a film about a club... even documentaries can't really get over what it's like to "be there". Mark Christopher's film is over-ambitious from the word go, which is probably why he chooses a sweet suburban kid as his protagonist, to make the film more personal, more real. But mass drug-taking, promiscuity, disco and mindless hedonism don't make, it has to be said, for an intimate cinematic experience.

The story of the rise and fall of New York's Studio 54 told through the eyes of aspirational Jerseyite Shane (Ryan Phillippe) is an interesting one, but the film ultimately fails because it fails to focus on the right stories. Shane is not especially dynamic or even sympathetic, and it's frustrating as we watch things happen to him rather than just seeing them happen. Christopher's mistake is failing to realise that the two main characters of "54" are Steve Rubell (Mike Myers) and the club itself, and he does not invest enough enthusiasm or affection or indeed screen time in either of them. While Anita (Salma Hayek) and Greg's (Breckin Meyer) romance is sweet and endlessly endearing, it only serves to detract further from what you feel was *really* going on at the time - that mindless hedonism I mentioned before.

Phillippe looks perfect as Shane - you can certainly understand Rubell being smitten with him. However, his petulant attitude and monotonous delivery, useful in some roles (see "Playing By Heart"), don't make for 85 minutes of great entertainment here. Hayek is surprisingly good and Myers is absolutely stunning as Rubell, a role he clearly threw his heart into, but a dismally wan Neve Campbell undermines them all, contriving to make a dull underwritten role as a soap star even duller. Shane's relationship with her feels utterly false and forced, as does his friendship with Greg - there must have been at least half an hour more of this movie that had some actual character development in it.

It's hard to escape the feeling that this film, while attempting to get across the high times and wild nights of Studio 54, has actually sanitised the club by turning it into a mere backdrop for a minor human drama which utilises countless Hollywood clichés (an old lady befriends Shane, then dies! Shane clicks with the TV star when they find they have a similar Jersey background! Shane covers for his friend's indiscretions! Plucky Anita makes it as a singer!). The trouble is, we don't care about the story and by the end we don't care much about the club either. Those who were there in 1979 will no doubt be shaking their heads at the film's representation of "their" club, while those who were, say, living in England and three years old at the time (me) will wonder what all the fuss was about. Until... the snapshots of REAL glamorous people at 54 that appear over the end credits (Minelli, Stallone, Travolta when he was obscenely hip the first time around, et al) actually give more a flavour of 54 than the whole of "54".

A shame, and a waste. As I say, I expect there was more footage, but it would probably have been of the wrong things. As it is, "54" is mercifully short. This movie marks Mike Myers' coming of age as a character actor, but little else.

Aver

If you hit your teens in the 70s, as I did, you probably remember the stories about Studio 54 whether or not you liked disco. An exclusive club, it was the perfect symbol of 70s cultural overindulgence and self-absorption; there's even an excellent VH1 documentary about the club that could tell you everything you wanted to know about its heyday, and the stories are easily interesting enough to spawn a very captivating film.

Sadly, this isn't it. 54 follows the lives of a few of its employees, a bartender named Shane (Ryan Phillippe), a busboy named Greg (Breckin Meyer), his wife, a coat-check girl, Anita (Selma Hayek), and of course the master of ceremonies himself, Steve Rubell (Mike Meyers). While the goings-on at the club are well represented, this film concerns itself more with the personal lives of the workers, following Shane's story the closest.

The movie works in spurts. Sometimes it captures perfectly the shallowness of the nightlife culture (such as when Shane is taken to a dinner party and doesn't know who 'Errol Flynt' is), and other times it waxes into hokey melodrama. Some of that is inherent in the premise following the underlings as they mingle in the world of the rich and fabulous but a lot of it is due to the kid-gloved treatment with which both the club and Rubell are given throughout the movie. While Rubell certainly electrified the scene in New York with his penchant for over-the-top spectacle and his exclusive hand-picking of the crowds each night, the rampant drugs and sexuality are only briefly touched on; and Rubell himself, while his excesses are mentioned, come off oddly positive for a guy who was in life a liar, a cheat, a drug abuser, and promiscuous as all hell. Not that I was looking for the man to be pilloried here, but his ego directly contributed to the fall of his club and the diminishing of the nightlife culture he helped to elevate. A final scene where he gazes down at the regulars paternally is so emotionally false as to be patently absurd.

Meyers does his best to capture Rubell, but he's given so little to work with here it's surprising his performance is effective; but he's good, and he helps to anchor the film. Philippe, whom I find generally to be a good actor, is hamstrung here by the shallowness and stupidity of his character; he's limited to a deer-in-the-headlights smile or a sullen uncomprehending frown, and even he can't translate that into a strong performance. Hayek and Meyer are both okay, again, undercut by the writing, and Neve Campbell prominently featured on the DVD cover appears so briefly she really has an extended cameo.

For some reason I still find myself interested, even fascinated, by the popular culture of the second half of the seventies. But even given that, this is not a film that particularly engaged me, despite a predisposition to like it. I'd say if that era, or that club, has any interest for you, track down the VH1 special rather than this middle-of-the-road melodrama.

Doomredeemer

Studio 54 was the center of a universe that revolved around sex, drugs, and a pantheon of ephemeral pop culture gods who presided over a world of decadence and music. Long before the neanderthal "disco sucks" mob convinced the world to stop dancing, every possible indulgence was explored, and then surpassed, in clubs like this one across the country. Well, if there had been clubs like this, but there was only one 54.

The story mirrors the lunatic time warp within great dance clubs. There was a cast of characters, you kind of knew them, and you knew some of the details of their lives outside the club, but make no mistake, the real world took place under the seductive lights, and everything else was just backstage preparation.

You might say that the myriad subplots that ran through 54 were not adequately explored by the movie, but that would be naive. Nobody at the club really knew Warhol, Jagger, Grace Kelly, Capote, or any of the luminaries, famous or not, who inhabited the club like ghosts. We drank from their lives from dusk till dawn and hibernated in the so-called real world until the stars came out at night.

Mike Meyers is beyond fabulous as the complex and tragic Steve Rubell. If Ryan Phillippe is no Oscar winner, you might recall that the real busboys weren't usually National Merit Scholars either. They were beautiful, and that was all that mattered.

The giddy yet tragic abandon of the Disco Days has never been captured so perfectly. Everyone knew it couldn't last, but we all stuck it out to see who could make it till last call. An era as beautiful and optimistic as the hippies and flower children of the 1960's drowned under the weight of the resentment of those who couldn't make it past the velvet rope.

This movie is the absolute best of its genre, and unflinchingly reveals the darkness that lay under the glittering veneer of 54. If you weren't there, you won't understand. If you were, there is no better way to remember. Brilliant, tragic, and most of all, fabulous.

Justie

What could have been an intoxicating, unforgettable film is instead reduced so pretty people like Ryan Phillippe and Neve Campbell whining and posing. The REAL story of the REAL "54" is Steve Rubell and the shenanigans and illegal activities that took place in AND out of the club....as well as the entire disco era. Actually, aside from some great music from the period, the viewer doesn't get much of a feel for the late 70's. And frankly, it's a bit hard to because of the VERY 90's faces in the film. It would be okay if some of them could actually act...

The only thing this film has going for it, besides the music, is a stellar, surprising performance from Mike Myers as Steve Rubell. The filmmakers blew their chance with this movie...the REAL story of Studio 54 with Mike Myers in the lead role would have made a phenomenal movie. Instead, we get a soap opera with bad acting and Myers reduced to a thankless supporting role. Overall, "54" isn't terrible and it does have it's moments. It is just very disappointing, because the REAL story would have been so much more fulfilling.

Rocky Basilisk

This movie was great. Not only did it have a wonderful star studded cast, but it managed to make a well known story very origional. Ryan Phillipe in the lead role was brilliant not often have i seen him act up to his potential like he did in this movie (Movies he did that sucked: I know what you did last summer, Nowhere)Mike Meyers also stunned me showing is versitality in one of his few serious dramatic roles. Breckin Meyer was great (Big step up from Dancer TX Pop. 81) Selma Hayek was great. My only complaint was Neve Cambell, I just think she could have done better. Great Great movie!! A must see for those who are nostalgic, or those who want a glimpse of the era we barely missed.

Talvinl

Beautiful teenager Ryan Phillippe (as Shane O'Shea) is tired of cruising New Jersey with his plain boyfriends, and aches to go to Manhattan's famous "Studio 54" disco. There, he hopes to meet his idol, soap opera star Neve Campbell (as Julie Black). Taking off his shirt for "54" manager Mike Myers (as Steve Rubell) helps Mr. Phillippe gain admittance to the club. Working in his gym shorts gets Phillippe invited to hobnob with celebrities like Princess Grace and Andy Warhol. Eventually, Phillippe gains celebrity status. He models for magazines and gets "the clap". Will the world of sex, drugs, and disco get Phillippe down?

Probably, you won't care, because there is so little depth to this film. Phillippe is very attractive, but the character is limp. Ms. Campbell is seen little, and adds the same. The second tier coupling of busboy Breckin Meyer (as Greg) and singer Salma Hayek (as Anita) adds some sexual energy. Mr. Myers is wasted. You may get a kick out of drug-snorting grandma Ellen Albertini Dow (as "Dottie" aka "Mona"). And, Heather Matarazzo (as Grace) does well as Phillippe's sister. Reportedly censored, Mark Christopher's "54" holds back far too much. It's almost impossible to believe anything this bland could have been so popular.

***** 54 (8/28/98) Mark Christopher ~ Ryan Phillippe, Mike Myers, Salma Hayek, Breckin Meyer

zmejka

Writer-director Mark Christopher worked hard at recreating the sinfully decadent magic of Manhattan's Studio 54, the number-one celebrity hangout from the late-1970s into the 1980s, but he skimped on the most intriguing part of the nightclub's history: the relationship between business partners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager. Mike Myers was a terrific choice for the flamboyant, eccentric Rubell, but Schrager has gone missing. Instead, the story is told from the point-of-view of a busboy-turned-bartender (!), a muscular rube whose innocence is soiled by boss Rubell's dirty business dealings and hedonistic trappings. The film has a low-budget feel which doesn't make itself present in the production so much as in the character-driven scenes, which are underpopulated, padded with real and faked black-and-photos, and further undermined by stilted dialogue. Ryan Phillipe is well-cast as the young stud from New Jersey whom Rubell takes under his wing, yet his voice-over narration is uncomfortably omnipresent, telling us things we can see or perceive for ourselves, and the interrelationships between the club staff are uninteresting. Some of the music is good, bringing back those long-ago nights of carefree sex and dancing-the-night-away, but Christopher doesn't grasp the big picture. As a result, the film (at best) is a series of precious little moments struggling to surface. ** from ****

Asyasya

The studio executives who ruined the first release version of this film in 1998 have a lot to answer for, but the director has had the last word and proved he was right all along, with the new Director's Cut (which I saw at the Sydney Film Festival tonight), which is an ENTIRELY different and improved experience. From now on, I don't think there should be any reason for anyone to watch the original release version again, the improvement is that dramatic. The one aspect that may irritate some viewers is that a few of the 'new' scenes have slightly lower image & sound quality than the rest of the film, as they obviously weren't able to find perfect quality footage for every restored scene, and the editing between some scenes doesn't always feel entirely smooth. And some weaknesses in the film still remain - such as Ryan Philippe, who is a bit limp despite being more than pretty enough for the role. But in so many other ways this is a far far better film, taking a film I'd only have rated maybe a 4 in the past, to at least a 7 now. About 40% of the film feels entirely changed, all for the better. There's a lot more life to the nights at the club, now that they've been able to put back the sex & drugs the studio removed (no movie about 1980-era disco makes any sense once you remove them). The parties are wild and bisexual and very disco. And the whole direction of the drama has been altered, now that the dull studio-imposed romance with Neve Campbell has been removed. Neve is still there in a small role, but the film now focuses on Ryan's love triangle with Salma Hayek & Breckin Meyer instead, which is far more interesting. Everyone who worked on the film should be happy with the Director's Cut, which proves they were making something pretty decent (until the studio stuffed it up).

Dranar

Elite nightclubs are all about hedonism and the power of the young, rich, and beautiful; places where a rigid hierarchy holds sway, albeit an alternative one. One may understand why those in the in-crowd may enjoy such places; but to suggest that they symbolise "freedom" is a rather strange interpretation. But every Hollywood film has to pay homage to this virtue, however still defined, and so '54', Mark Christopher's film about a once-fashionable New York venue, tries to suggest there was something idealistic about the place, in spite of the fact there seem few ideals on view. To strengthen this rather weak idea, his script casts lead actor Ryan Phillipe as a young Adonis, who is far too sweet to serve as a useful vehicle into the dark side of this underworld; but he tells us there was something mystical about the place, and as the audience, we're expected to believe him, although all we see are a lot of dancing, drug-taking, and sex. Which might not be unbelievable, but is hardly unique. Meanwhile, the film's plot goes nowhere and even seems to bottle out of it's own natural climax. The real Studio 54 might indeed have been where it was all happening; but this gentle homage is really very bland.

Steel_Blade

54 is a film about a club with that very title in the setting of the 70s era. It features the classic good-looking bartender. The sexy females. The high powered owner. The partying. When all entwined together chaos ensues, and the bartender (played by Phillipe) seems to be at the brunt of it all.

I'm going to be as blunt and honest as possible, whilst avoiding any outright unfair or untrue comments (like, it's an 'ok' film). I really do find it a completely dire film complimented by it's dire cast. Every time I sit down to watch a film casting Salma Hayek, I am always awaiting to see her beauty, radiantly expressed simultaneously with a great performance, but, reality invariably reminds me quite abruptly how utterly talentless she is. I mean, really, what has she ever bequeathed the masses with, other than her immense table dance in 'From Dusk Till Dawn'...? The same goes for Ryan Phillippe, another poor actor who gives nothing to the screen but his good looks and insanely dull facade otherwise known as 'acting'. Mike Myers, isn't quite as bad as these 2, he does at least give the Film something worthy. Playing the seedy, extroverted co-founder of the 54 Club. The type that the majority watching would hate (i.e. job well done), he puts in a somewhat convincing performance that gave me rare enjoyment from the flick. But alas, it is not enough to rescue the film from it's baseless and flat nothingness. Most 'bad' bad films I find something to take from the film, but this has nothing to it, really. Neve Campbell isn't too bad, but she is just 'there'. The storyline is dull, it appears the writer was more bent on making a film of this style and embellishment and forgot to add anything else. Any meaning. Any class. Anything at all. Because like most ornaments, they are just hollow pointless objects, that are merely pretty to look at, much akin to the basis of this disastrous film.

Genuinely an hour and a half of time I could have spent better doing something much more exciting, like talking to 90 year old relatives on the phone about the weather.

Pameala

This is the second worst, and most disappointing film I've seen this year. With such a great potential given the history of the club, it's well know patrons, and the endless possibility of storylines, the film is wasted on ficticious characters and their moronic, boring storylines. I knew the that the film was bad, when the only references to real people were those who were deceased (Steve Rubel, Andy Warhol, Truman Capote). My guess that every person associated with the movie still living threatened to sue if the were portrayed. Forget this movie, and catch the "Behind the Music" documentary of Studio 54 on VH1. It is much, much better.

Doulkree

Great Major Character: Mike Myers, So-so Supporting Characters.

Yet, the writers and directors of this disappointing movie have unfortunately been smoking- I think it rhymes with "coyote." But anyway, with much better and higher paid supporting characters, better writers and directors, "54" could have been more interesting. It should've been more of a historical docudrama (Like: Summer of Sam), than a historical entertainment drama (Like: Boogie Nights). I think people would've taken this movie more seriously, if it didn't try so hard to be Boogie Nights, but be rather like "Summer of Sam."

Also, when Neve Campbell made her cameo in this box office bomb, that's when the movie tasted sour, smelled horribly, and started to attract flies. She completely ruined the whole movie with her role, and instantly sent "54" to you know where!!!

Plus, this movie's timeline, STANK!!! According to VH-1, Studio 54 was CLOSED on New Year's Eve 1979, and Steve Rubell didn't get arrested until February 1980. The disco did not close temporarily until November 1979. The movie should've been set in 1978, rather than 1979, in order for this motion picture to make sense.

A Disappointing: *1/2(1 1/2 stars)

Whitehammer

A group of dull, unappealing characters ruin what could have been an enjoyable look back at Studio 54. Save possibly for Rubell, no one is even remotely interesting in this movie. For me, at least, there was no reason to like any of the other main players, and so the film dragged quite frequently. This isn't a complete disaster, since it does have the occasional entertaining scene and some decent performances, but in general, it's predictable and uninspired. Don't waste your time with this one.

Jeronashe

Oh, I watched "54" at last, and I'm pleased to have it in my own collection. The movie was great for me, it's just what I like - party life :P Ryan Phillippe has a great role here too, I liked his character very much. As a matter of fact he is one of my favorite actors. I like his natural acting, his sincere voice and features. The acting of Mike Myers was also great, these are my favorite characters in the movie.

This movie can really send you in the atmosphere of the early eighties, you can feel the passion and feelings of the characters.It makes you feel sorry that you've not visited this place, and that it doesn't exist any more. I recommend you that movie, if you still haven't got the chance of watching it.

Uaoteowi

Loved this film, I was just a little late coming into the "disco" scene as it was called in 78, I was more into ABBA, but by the 80's ABBA was over and HI NRG music was my thing.

This film is brilliant! Although I never attended Studio 54, there were equivalents in London, Heaven, The Roof Garden on a Sunday night, and The Hippodrome on a Monday night. This reminds me of those times.

Decadence, drinking, excess, I never partook in drugs but I certainly drank champagne like it was water. I spent hundreds of pounds on a Sat, Sun and Mon night, I danced, and I had sex, sex, sex, anywhere and everywhere! Then AIDS rearer its head and it pretty much was over.

AIDS is mentioned in "54", as are drugs and booze, it was all an excess in every extreme, a wonderful era, that had its casualties, me included, who went on to be an alcoholic.

Now cured of alcohol, self restraint and will power got me through, I returned to London's club scene and the equivalents are here now today too, HardOn, an overt and open minded sex club in London, a monthly affair, where there is free love, gay sex in every corner, live sex shows, scary live acts where I saw one man "branded" with a scalpel, another man had his genitalia burned with a Bunsen burner while the crowd looked on unimpressed! Decandence returned to London, whether this level of debauchery will ever return to the newly cleaned up New York is another matter.

Studio 54 brings back fond memories, great music tracks and a joie de vivre that now can still be found if you know where to look.

Enjoyed immensely, I recommend this film to all open minded people out there! I so wish I was 20 again! Still, at 43 I am back out and doing much the same, just with the brakes on a little, so I can make it to 65! :-)

Road.to sliver

OK, here's the deal: Mark Christopher wrote & filmed a much more interesting story, namely an all-3-sides love triangle between the Philippe, Hayek, and Breckin Meyer characters, where the three all behaved rather badly and rashly. But Harvey and Bob Weinstein, who run Miramax, which is owned by Disney, quite simply, freaked. They showed the movie to a bunch of shallow preview audiences who shy away from characters who are good AND bad, instead of one or the other, and made Christopher do extensive reshoots. Which is is how we got this dull, mangled mess of a film. The Neve Campbell character is so damned boring it's hard to understand how she'd be charismatic enough to get her soap opera role, much less get into the movies. Philippe is a cipher, and we don't see enough of Hayek and Breckin together to understand their relationship. Next time, Harvey and Bob, let the two boys kiss.

Tygrafym

54, or Club Fifty-four as it is called is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. Mike Myers from Austin Powers plays Steve Rubell the Owner of a sexy nightclub in the heart of New York City. Ryan Phillipe from Homegrown plays the Electric Giggolo dubbed "Shane 54" who is discovered by rudell after going to 54 one night for a big party there. This is the Era where sex is safe and the drugs are not so harmful. All the Directors of 54, Well Done! Ryan and Mike you will always be my heroes!

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