I chose to remember it somewhat more colorful, with more pop elements than there were at the time. This serves the comedy, the romance and the exaggerated anticipation of New Year's Eve. Around 150 background actors are dressed in full leather and put through hair and makeup for the perfect '80s punk look. As Ricci, Hoffmann, Affleck and Diaz run through their lines, the club rocks to a sea of slam dancers for four hours straight. The night this scene was shot a terrible rainstorm drenches New York.
Space inside is tight.
But the intimacy of the location seems to suit the tension in the dialog perfectly. Other performers appearing in the film who 'rock' include Elvis Costello and Buster Poindexter, both of whom recall playing New Year's Eve gigs in 1981. Poindexter played at MTV's inaugural New Year's Eve Ball while Costello performed at the Palladium, just a few blocks from where he filmed his scene for the movie. I was in New York when the movie was shooting and it was suggested I appear in it. So here I am.