Everything Mike Myers Touches Turns To Gold

Rating: 10/10 (25 February 2000)

Virtual unknown Mark Christopher's "54" came out at essentially the same time as Stillman's "The Last Days of Disco," and most of us who are still Stillman hopefuls were expecting a TKO.
Sadly though, even with Kate Beckinsale in the cast, "Days" finishes a poor second.
Mike Myers, in his first truly dramatic role, is absolutely superb as the ubiquitous and egocentric Steve Rubell ~ the man who literally invented trendy~but~exclusive NYC hot~spots with his Studio 54.
But Myers is merely the thread which holds several subplots together.

Most of these involve lowlife Jersey kid, "Shane" [Ryan Phillippe], who happens upon the club nearly by accident. Shane, via several personally~compromising situations, is fairly~quickly elevated to "waiter" status which, at 54, meant overnight stardom.
Neve Campbell, as an ex~Jersey girl who has made it semi~big on a soap opera, excels as the object of Shane's desires.
Salma Hayek, in what is likely her best performance thus far, is terrific as the disco star wannabe.
I continue to be amazed with Mike Myers ~ even when he's not doing his comedy schtick, he makes it work. This is a true oddity for ex~SNL personnel: Bill Murray, John Belushi & Dan Aykroyd's attempts at drama have been at best adequate [depite Aykroyd's nomination for the awful "Driving Miss Daisy"] and at worst, deplorable [all of Aykroyd's other work].
The guy is gold. Buy his IPO when it shows up on Wall Street.