Part of Weekend Classics
Thu, May 18 at 9:00pm: Introduction from film critic Jason Shawhan | BUY TICKETS
What’s a fast-talking, under-employed New York free spirit to do when she’s jailed for throwing an illegal house party? Mary (Parker Posey, DAZED AND CONFUSED and THE HOUSE OF YES) cajoles her librarian godmother (Sasha von Scherler, NETWORK) into bailing her out and giving her a job as a clerk at the public library. What follows is Mary’s screwball-like journey from a life of late nights and hangovers to romance with a falafel vendor (Omar Townsend) and a potential long-term career as a librarian. Daisy von Scherler Mayer’s PARTY GIRL is a charming and energetic throwback to ‘30s and ‘40s comedies, set amidst the thriving and vibrant club culture of ‘90s Lower Manhattan.
Parker Posey became “the new queen of the art house” (Michael Musto, Vanity Fair) with her hilarious and captivating lead performance in what has become one of the most iconic characters and films of the ’90s indie filmmaking boom. Supporting her are Guillermo Diaz (Scandal), Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan), Donna Mitchell (THE ICE STORM) and Anthony DeSando (KISS ME, GUIDO). In addition to its witty and quotable screenplay by von Scherler Mayer and Harry Birckmayer, the film is rightfully beloved for its stacked soundtrack, which includes Tom Tom Club, Run-DMC, Deee-lite, Carl Craig and Ultra-Naté, as well as Mary’s stacked wardrobe, which includes pieces by Vivienne Westwood, Todd Oldham, Jean Paul Gaultier and Chanel. PARTY GIRL had its finger on the pulse when released in 1995 — and decades later, it’s revered as a loving and effervescent cinematic record of a very special time and place in New York City’s history. Previously only available in aged standard definition masters, it has now been restored in 4K from its original 16mm camera negative and never looked and sounded better.
“The movie is poppy, clever and more than enjoyable, but Posey is something else altogether. She's a revelation.” —Hal Hinson, Washington Post "What makes it delicious fun is Posey, a party girl for the ages." —Peter Travers, Rolling Stone "PARTY GIRL, a rambunctious cartoon of a movie, creates a small but zesty inside portrait of a time-honored New York scene-maker: the haughty young queen of the demimonde, flitting from party to party, from dance club to dance club, gliding through the champagne night on her looks, her clothes, her kitschy downtown élan." —Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
