HOW TO TALK TO GIRLS AT PARTIES – A Review by Cynthia Flores
If 1972's Ziggy Stardust were still around, he definitely would have been in this film. The new film How To Talk To Girls At Parties is director/co-writer John Cameron Mitchell’s love letter to London's punk scene and David Bowie's weirder side. This is the same man who gave us groundbreaking films such as 2001's Hedwig and the Angry Inch and 2006's Shortbus, so his new film fits perfectly in his colorful world view.
How to talk to girls at parties tells the story of Enn (Alex Sharp) who is a shy suburban London teenager in 1977 who sneaks out with his best friends John (Ethan Lawrence) and Vic (Abraham Lewis) to hang out at after-hours punk parties. One night, thinking they are going to a by invite only after party, they stumble upon a bizarre gathering of sexy teenagers who seem like they are from another planet. In fact, they are and they’re visiting Earth to complete a mysterious rite of passage. That doesn’t stop young Enn from falling madly in love with Zan (Elle Fanning), a beautiful and rebellious alien teenager who, despite her allegiance to her strange colony, wants to experience this thing called Punk and is fascinated by Enn. Together they embark on a whirlwind adventure through the kinetic punk rock world of 1970’s London ruled over by the magnificent Queen Boadicea (Nicole Kidman). Ultimately, they set off a series of events that will lead to a showdown of punks vs aliens and test the limits of how far each of them will go for true love.
With Hollywood just rebooting movies from the past or doing the 5th film in a series that should have stayed a one off or part two at most, it’s so refreshing to see something as original and off beat as this film is. I can see this movie becoming a cult classic and playing at midnight shows after its initial run.
How to talk to girls at parties is a psychedelic romp of a film that’s not for everyone; for that reason alone, I give it a B+ rating. However, if you love punk music and you can sit through the more offbeat scenes of this film, then you’ll really have a fun experience at the theaters this summer.
Directed by John Cameron Mitchell
Written By John Cameron Mitchell, Philippa Goslett
Rated R
Selig Rating B+
Running Time 102 min
Dark Comedy / Sci Fi
Limited Release June 1st Texas Theater
Starring: Elle Fanning, Alex Sharp, Nicole Kidman, Ruth Wilson, and Matt Lucas
The Selig Rating Scale:
A – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
B – Good movie
C – OK movie
D – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
F – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn't paid for it.
