Stars:
John Simm,
Lorraine Pilkington,
Shaun Parkes,
Danny Dyer,
Nicola Reynolds,
Dean Davies,
Justin Kerrigan,
Jan Anderson,
Carol Harrison,
Andrew Lincoln
Director:
Justin Kerrigan
Summary: The story of five individuals who spend the week working in mundane jobs, waiting for the weekend. Then they find themselves in a world of parties, pubs and clubs. An outlook on nineties youth culture. Soundtrack by Fat Boy Slim, Armand Van Helden, Orbital and Underworld, mixed by Pete Tong.
The Ecstasy-fuelled youth culture of England is examined in this buoyant, good-natured film from 25-year-old newcomer, Justin Kerrigan. A group of young Welsh revellers, including Jip (John Simm), Lulu (Lorrain Piliongon), and Koop (Shaun Parkes) endure their mundane jobs all week, and then cut loose on a typically wild Friday night of dancing, drinking, drugging, shagging, and then recovering in order to deal with their parents come Sunday. The film's guileless pro-drug stance may prove off-putting to more jaded and conservative audiences, but as a "peak" at England's thriving 1990s counterculture, it's a fun, fascinating document, and a cheery companion to TRAINSPOTTING (which was obviously a huge inspiration). Kerrigan fills the film with lots of surreal and fantastical digressions, direct addresses to the camera, and quote-worthy bits of slang. Energetic electronica pulses throughout for a dynamite score, which combines with the high-spirited performances of the cast and makes for good time, whatever your "buzz" may be. Its honesty about the good, great, and not-so-great aspects of the lifestyle should ring true to those familiar with the scene, and provide others with a thrilling, propaganda-free glimpse into club-kid nightlife.