Movie Guys: '54' in a daze about the days of disco

* Grades: Jeff, C; Dave C+.

* Starring: Mike Myers, Neve Campbell, Ryan Phillippe, Salma Hayek and Sela Ward.

* Director: Mark Christopher.

* Screenplay: Mark Christopher.

* Rated: R for profanity, violence, adult themes.

* Running time: 97 minutes.

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* Synopsis: Shane was a good-looking guy from a small, boring town in New Jersey ... until he crossed the river into New York City and entered a world overflowing with luxury, sexual desire and decadence, via a nightclub that was nothing less than the center of the universe -- Studio 54.

Dave: In recent years, movies have been taking to the retro eras of the 1960s ("Austin Powers," "The Avengers"), 1970s ("Boogie Nights," "The Ice Storm") and 1980s ("Grosse Pointe Blank," "The Wedding Singer"). Filled with music, hip lingo, dated wardrobes and hair styles, they almost act as a pop-cultural history lesson. The very nostalgic themes reveal what the life and times were like -- whether from a comical or dramatic stance. In "54," we are exposed to the days of disco, when New York City housed the most popular nightclub in the world.

Jeff: You said it, Dave. I don't think I can take too many more disco movies this year. "54" has a familiar theme: Boy leaves home to find fortune, meets up with a surrogate family at the world's most famous disco club, all his dreams come true, then it all comes crashing down around him, but he survives. It's hard not to compare "54" to Paul Thomas Anderson's "Boogie Nights" or even Whit Stillman's "The Last Days of Disco." The subject matter may be the same, but "54" is missing one important element to hold the film together: meaningful characters. Writer/director Mark Christopher attempts to document this den of debauchery of the late '70s that was the place to party. Despite the decadence and wild lifestyle it offered club-goers, the club's drug and sexual activities, shown for sudden shock value, aren't enough to keep your interest -- nor are the characters inhabiting this underground paradise.

Dave:

Come on, Jeff, a lack of meaningful characters? Did you already forget about Mike Myers' dramatic turn as the club's owner, Steve Rubell? With his sluggish mannerisms, sleazy appearance and corny laugh, it was truly uncanny how Myers portrayed the legendary host of his own nightly club party. Granted, it was probably the film's saving grace, aside from the expose of the club itself. But Myers, who has had comical success on "Saturday Night Live" and in feature films such as "Wayne's World" and "Austin Powers," may have just proved his maturity as an actor. I'll say it now and remind you later: Myers is worthy of an Oscar nod for supporting actor.

Jeff:

Mike Myers was phenomenal and is the only reason to even see "54." Myers has spread his dramatic wings and gives us one the best performances of the year. The man is versatile and is to be praised. Which brings me to my point: that the film should have focused on Rubell and his lavish and sinful hideaway. But no, it was a coming-of-age story about a dreamy-eyed teenager, Shane (played by Ryan Phillippe of "I Know What You Did Last Summer"), with a desire for a more exciting life. Phillippe does what he can with the material, but doesn't succeed. Shane's story was bland and boring. He didn't come from a broken home; he didn't run away from any kind of problems; nor did he live a life of crime. Nobody in "54" was seedy or slimy, except Steve Rubell. This was Rubell's story, not Shane's. Even Neve Campbell's character, a soap opera star hoping to land her big break at Studio 54, was useless and transparent.

Dave:

True, the film appears to make light of what evils lurked behind the club scene. Oh, sure, we get a glimpse of the back rooms where some of the rich and famous would hang out; we witness a bit of the drug abuse and sexual advances that were made; we even see how the club's money was laundered in order to avoid the Internal Revenue Service. But it all seems secondary since we are subjected to the meaningless plot of ... say, what is the point of this film anyway? Or, at least, that is what you might find yourself asking. It is unfortunate that "54" is not about the title, but, as Jeff described, some young punk who is looking for his niche in life -- and guess what? He still does not find it by the film's end.

Jeff:

And everything you just described, Dave, we've seen before in "The Last Days of Disco," in which the characters had depth and purpose, all engulfed in the final days of the disco scene. Still, "54" was about drugs, sexual freedom and one's desire to live life to the fullest. One scene that stands out for me is when Myers stands above the crowd in the deejay booth, as if he was the Greek god Zeus, looking down on the massive party thrown in his honor, showering his friends with his riches and praise. When the lights came up in the theater, the party was over. To tell you the truth, I don't ever remember it ever starting.

MOVIE BUZZ

"Rings" and things:

New Line Cinema has announced the production of three films based on J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy: "Fellowship of the Ring," "The Two Towers" and "Return of the King." Peter Jackson ("The Frighteners") is set to direct all three films. New Line plans to begin filming the trilogy back-to-back-to-back in the middle of next year, with a total budget of $130 million.

Leo's no "Psycho":

Variety is reporting that Leonardo DiCaprio has officially passed on the role of banker/serial killer Patrick Bateman in the film adaption of the controversial Bret Easton Elis novel "American Psycho." Film company Lion's Gate is still interested in the project, but the budget will be vastly reduced, and the film will be entirely re-cast.

"Wedding" star in "Love":

Rupert Everett, from "My Best Friend's Wedding," is back at the altar once again in "Unconditional Love." The comedy-thriller is about a middle-aged woman whose favorite singing idol is murdered. She teams up with Dirk Simpson (Everett), the singer's longtime gay lover, to find his killer. "Wedding" director P.J. Hogan is handling both directing and writing chores on "Love." The lead female role is not yet cast, although several actresses are in talks for the part.

NAME THAT FLICK

OK, we admit that last week's quote -- "There's no more shredded wheat in the back; there's no more shredded wheat in the whole keys; and one of you will have to go to the atomic destruction with no damn shredded wheat!" -- may have been a tad too obscure for anyone to guess correctly. The quote was from Joe Dante's "Matinee," starring John Goodman. We had to give you a tough quote sooner or later!

Now, for this week -- Who said this and in what film: "What I do now, I do for the sake of the people of the world, but there is one man here on Earth who will never kneel before you? Does it sound familiar? If you think you know, call The Movie Guys Hotline at 225-9026, or e-mail us at [email protected]. Be sure to spell your name and leave your daytime phone number, and if you're the first correct caller/e-mailer, we will print your name right here in our column for the entire Las Vegas Valley to read.

See you next week!

THE MOVIE GUYS, starring Jeff Howard and Dave Neil, appears Fridays in the Sun (additional material provided by Thomas Feeney). You can also read their capsule reviews of movies in Las Vegas Weekly magazine and watch their reviews Fridays on Channel 3's 11 p.m. newscast. Plus, check them out online at: www.lasvegassun.com/sun/sunlife/movies.

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