- Genre of film: Biography/Crime/Drama/Thriller.
- Michael Alig
(All images not referenced on this page are
from the film 'Party Monster.')
Michael is a very eccentric character. He's very strong willed like when we see him at the beginning of the film we are presented the weaker, less knowledgeable side of him a more human character with a lot of ambition to make himself well known in New York. When he first see's James St James in the bathroom toilets he is memorized by him, in oar of his individuality and huge amount of confidence. When they arrange to meet in the small cafe is when we first begin to see a change in Alig as he has purposely gone and bought the same bag as James proving how influential he is.
From this scene onwards we slowly see the visual and mental transformation of Michael and how heavily influenced he is by James. His clothes and make-up become much more daring and outrageous. Plus his attitude and social conduct completely alter in order for him to gain other people's respect and gain a high reputation with the club scene, the only way people would turn up to his massively planned parties was if they believed in him then the turn out would never fail.
TRUE STORY
The film 'Party Monster' is based on a true story a true guy called Michael Alig the same as the main character in the film. Michael was born in Indiana, 1966. Alig started working as a bus boy at a club named 'Danceteria'. His mentor was socialite Jame St James who became his long time best friend. With the help of club owner Peter Gatien they both became very well known in the national underground club scene, seen to be throwing huge, themed parties. Alig was jailed after killing Andre Melendez 'Angel' in a battle of Angel trying to get back the drug money that was owed to him.
James Nichols, (2014), James Nichols [ONLINE]. Available at:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/18/michael-alig-nightlife_n_5333183.html [Accessed 16 November 14].
Video of Michael Alig explaining how some of the films scene were not accurate jsut after his release from prison on parole on May, 5th 2014 after 17 years in prison.
The fact that the film is based on a true story and the characters actually existed in real life makes it so much more interesting to research as the characters are not only fictional. However Alig did explain in a recently released TV interview that when he was released from prison this year after 17 years he finally watched the film inspired by his life and says a lot of scenes were purposely exaggerated for effect like any film or reality TV show. Details such as the killing of Angel were not as it appeared in real life, Freez hit Angel with the wooden handle of the hammer not the metal bit as portrayed in the film. The film made the killing look much more gruesome.
- Gitsie
Gitsie first appeared on screen when the Alig, James and the others sat on the talk show. She was watching on TV at home and inspired to be like them a many other youths did that's how the club kids scene became so big as many just saw the positive carefree side of being a club kid. They just saw the extravagant outfits and make-up that was associated with the group and party lifestyle that came with it. Not until you became apart of the popular duo like Gitsie did would you see the darker size of drug abuse and addiction. Most of the group members eventually died from overdoses as Gitsie did.
Alig used Gitsie making her his Girlfriend/lover/best-friend when his relationship with Kioke stopped. Gitsie's character is a very weak representation of a female on screen as she only spoke when Michael told her to spoke and did more or less anything he told her to. She was so easily influence and gullible as we see when they both stay in that hotel room together and she plans there future of babies and marriage. We are made to believe that Alig's heart isn't completely in the relationship with her and he never really let go of Kioke. However towards the end of the film when Alig is in prison he asks after Gitsie in hope that her offer still stands when he is finally released but he had not heard the bad new of her overdose. I still believe Gitsie was nothing but a comforter to Michael.
- Freez
Freez is a close friend of Michael and only one of mainly friends he had to stay with him until the end. He always had his back like when he defended him during his and Angel dispute which ended with Freez killing Angel.
- James St James
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James St James plays a massive part in the film. He acts as a mentor to Michael until Michael becomes corrupted by drugs and popularity. They both make a pact to be there for one and other and James keeps that pact as we see him comfort Alig at his lowest points when nobody is there for him. I think Jame's character is a little brighter and tuned in compared to Michael as he knew when to say when until towards the end when we see him hallucinate a large rat and his book which he thinks he has finished but he opens it and find the pages to be blank.
There is a never ending friendship but also a strong competition between both protagonists James and Alig as both fight for narration and attention throughout the film. They both want the plot to be based around them. This is mainly seen at the beginning when we are first introduced to them and towards the end when we see Alig ring James. We see Michael in quite a sensitive state at this point so the audience sympathise with him especially after the news of Gitsie's death. However James think otherwise and just see's it as Michael trying to get all the attention as usual but James refuses to let the film end revolving around him.
It's also quite surprising to see Alig's acceptance when James says it was him that ratted him out. Michael consider it to be more of a blessing in disguise rather than betrayal because James only has good intentions and knows if nobody would have stopped Michael then he would have just eventually ended up dead.
- Angel
Angel was well known as the drug dealer of the group. However it took a lot of persuading for him to finally be socially accepted as Michael was very harsh on him from the beginning. I think Angel wanted to be apart of the club kids group so bad that Alig perceived this as slightly desperate a trait a club kid should not have. Angel seemed like the only genuine one that actually had some common sense and human emotion. He sold the drugs so that he could gain peoples respect and acceptance but he didn't hold the drug dealer attitude until towards the end of the film when he finally stood up for himself and asked Michael for the money he was owed. unfortunately this late wake up call resulted in his death. Angel was also the only one that wasn't seen abusing or taking drugs which made the portrayal of his character even more interesting as you could constantly see the difference when comparing the drugs users and him helping you sympathise with Angel more.
- Christina
Christiana was played by Marilyn Manson (a Rock star) making his roll very interesting. His character was obviously a transvestite, a man dressed in drag which was very commonly seen in throughout the club kid time frame. Her character provided a lot of the comedy throughout the film but sadly she dies half way through.
- Brooke
Brooke doesn't have a massive roll in the movie. Her biggest contribution to the film is introducing Gitsie to Michael. She becomes a part of the close group of friends and eventually moves in with Michael.
- Elke
Elke is Michael's mum. She is quite odd not your typical mother. She doesn't really look out for Michael but instead feeds of his fame and relies on him for her drug use. She's only really seen now and again during in the film and these are mainly when Michael's popularity is rising like when he goes on the chat show.
- Keoki
Keoki was Michaels first boyfriend. He made Keoki this even though the man is straight and apparently had a girlfriend but Keoki looks so intrigued by Alig's confidence and control that he just plays along with it. Alig make's Keoki the DJ at all of his parties but as the film goes on Keoki see's how scarily addicted Michael becomes to drugs and back away. We never see Alig's feelings change though as every lover/girlfriend/boyfriend he has from him onwards just seem's like a replacement to cure his loneliness rather than a real companionship.
Keoki is the one in the black and red striped top.
- Peter Gatien
Peter is the owner of the club that Michael first starts to throw his parties. His looks up to Peter as a father figure but also expresses this a lot throughout the film somehow making us second guess whether Alig is just taking advantage of him and trying to quickly please Peter by making up the father figure role.
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