It is only fitting that the Austin Film Festival accepts an entry from Austin filmmakers who conceived and shot a film in Austin. This town usually nurtures artists, particularly movie writers and directors. Though the city has changed a lot through the years, it is refreshing to see that movie artists still toil to express their voices in a continuously growing area where many of its older residents (including myself) fear that it is losing its original creativity. Because Party People is truly an Austin film, I made it a point to check out this potentially entertaining film that delivers what it promises.
While I love to see Austin residents express artistry, I refuse to hold back regarding criticism. Thankfully, I was rather pleased with the end results of this film and found the whole affair very engaging and humorous. While the story material is somewhat original, the filmmakers behind this fun film manage to put their creative spin on their movie, making it work well.
The film takes place in the college town of Austin, on the campus of, presumably, The University of Texas. It is the night of a big party, and the movie focuses on students of diverse backgrounds who are either trying to get to or wish to avoid it. Every student introduced in the film has much on their mind, as their futures remain uncertain, with some still adjusting to college life. There are those whose relationships are confusing and seemingly in flux, while others want to connect with someone special on a more romantic level. Others simply wish to break out of their shells and do something social for a change. It’s funny how a simple thing like getting to a party can get complicated when so much else is on the mind.
Considering that the Austin Film Festival calls itself “The Writer’s Festival,” it came as no surprise that Party People set itself apart because of its writing. Writer Lindsey Robertson takes what is usually an “overdone” concept and brings to it some great character development and sharp wit when it comes to the writing. The dialog, scenarios, and characters make a movie like this work so well; therefore, Robertson definitely makes a good case for this indie joy. I knew what kind of ride I signed up for with this screening, but I found myself engrossed and entertained by just about everything happening.
The movie features a fantastic ensemble cast that delivers what this movie demands. I don’t know how well this film will do if it gets distributed, but I hope it will reach lots of people who are all too familiar with the college experience. Fans of movies such as Dazed and Confused and Can’t Hardly Wait will surely enjoy what Party People offers. Fans of Austin cinema should be pleased to see that Austin’s independent filmmaking is not dead.