'Manipulation and frustrated ambition' in Party Monster

Party Monster

Director: Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato

Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Seth Green, Chloe Sevigny, Natasha Lyonne, Dylan McDermott, Diana Scarwid

Cert: 18.

The little lad who was left Home Alone - Culkin - grows up in this complex tale and shows that he might still become the major star he wishes to be.

It is a strange story in many ways, a story of manipulation and frustrated ambition as a wannabe writer (Green) and his protege (Culkin) play out their twisted drama ... with all the tragic results you might expect.

Culkin is surprisingly good as the younger of the twosome, a character of low character caught in a world that is both strange and dangerous.

The Manhattan in which the story is set emerges as a backcloth of menace and darkness. It's a film which doesn't quite live up to expectations but which is still powerful enough to be worth the price of a seat.

Star Rating: 4/5