Enjoyable romp through the music industry

The enjoyable 24 Hour Party People follows the story of Tony Wilson, the man who spearheaded names like Joy Division (later to become New Order), groups which are still held as influences to today’s musicians.

Mixing frenetic plot with a vérité slant, we see the punk and rave movements evolve through the admirably hard-working, but ultimately self-defeating, energy with which Wilson built Factory Records.

Pulsating through various stereotypes of the time (sex and drugs) to give a glimpse of lifestyle, 24 Hour’s stylistic camera works because the main focus always diverts back to the music and the people that made it happen.

Wilson is never shown to be angelic based on his passions: asking a hooker to finish off a blowjob after his wife has caught him in the act, or blatantly using money made from a band to cover the Hacienda’s expenses. His extreme arrogance about his intelligence would push the limits of annoyance if his absolute love for what he does weren’t so contagious.

Neither does it hurt that his nose for talent, or upcoming popularity, appears to have been impeccable. You like him, and enjoy following his escapades, even if you can’t condone his actions.

24 Hour shows the degeneration of Factory Records with the same hyper aplomb that it grants the rest of the story.

So while this possibly fictionalised journey through an era may be rooted in the music industry, there’s plenty of entertainment to cross several audience boundaries.