Who knew sex, drugs and disco could be so dull?

Rating: Null/10 (1 March 1999)

A disappointing movie somewhat redeemed by a good soundtrack and Mike Myers' inspired turn as cynical, self-aggrandizing Rubell. But the rest of the characters were cardboard cutouts and the plot was nonexistent. I've seen the talented Ryan Phillippe spin straw into gold before, rescuing a flawed script with a strong performance, but he doesn't do it here, and since his is the main role, of course the movie's in trouble. Mind you, his character of Shane is virtually unplayable. I call it the Forrest Gump Principle of Movies: the main character must be intelligent and/or likable, preferably both, but one will do.
Shane isn't a very nice guy, and he's not too bright either, so we have nothing to root for. The other characters are equally vacuous and selfish and most of the cast seems to sleepwalk through the movie, relying on sex appeal to get them through. If the writer had put even a smidge of the thought that went into the characterization of Rubell into the other parts, this movie might have been much better. On the bright side, although I was in diapers at Studio 54's heyday, I'm told by informed sources that it's an accurate portrayal of the hedonistic, anything-goes disco culture. But it's not interesting enough to make me wish it was 1979 again. Intriguing idea scuttled by a script light on plot and sympathetic characters. Rent it for the eye candy factor.