The Party

Sally Potter interview

Sally Potter on new film The Party, Harvey Weinstein and her success.

The Party review

Patricia Clarkson steals the show, but everyone in Potter's gifted cast gets their moment to shine in a sharp-edged, claustrophobic parlour piece that puts the boot into middle-class mores.

The Party movie review

The Party doesn't succeed in all it's aestheticisms - particularly the choice to shoot in black-and-white, which appears more as a gimmick than a motivated device, and the abrupt ending suggests that the director had a lot more to say. But The Party contains the kind of experimental innovation and spontaneity expected in a debut film. It's a testament to Sally Potter that, even after eight movies, she still wields the power to surprise.

The Party review

A celebration turns enjoyably sour in Sally Potter's uproarious comedy of manners.

It all seems so simple: gather a group of excellent actors together, stick them in a few rooms, give their characters plenty to argue about and watch what happens. At its most basic, that's what The Party does over 71 entertaining, black-and-white-shot minutes -- of course, it does more than that as well. The scenario sees Kristin Scott Thomas' Janet securing a plum political appointment, with her friends and family -- played by Timothy Spall, Patricia Clarkson, Emily Mortimer, Cillian Murphy and more -- all gathering around to celebrate. As something other than joy starts seeping through their get-together, writer/director Sally Potter crafts a lively and hilarious comedy filled with sparkling dialogue and intent on unpacking the political climate in Britain.

The Party review

The Party is out like a light - you certainly couldn't accuse it of overstaying its welcome. And its welcome is spirited and surprising.

The Party review

When you're dealing with a film that carries an absorbing, accomplished screenplay, and several celebrated actors on hand to bring it to life, that's generally enough to make for worthwhile trip to the cinema.

The Party review

Despite the unnecessary final coup de grace, it may leave you with a hankering for more.

The Party review

It races by without ever leaving us feel in any way short-changed; these days, that in itself is reason for praise.

The Party review

Here's a surprise at the Berlin film festival: a stingingly funny short comedy.