54 by DeWyNGaLe * * 1 / 2
Ryan Phillippe, Neve Campbell, Mike Myers, Breckin Meyer, and Selma Hayek star in this drama about the nightclub called 54. 54 is a nightclub that existed in the 70s and 80s in Brooklyn, New York. This film tells the story of a man's dream of becoming a star, and how he made it to the top. Ryan Phillippe stars as Shane O'Shea, a city kid. He and his buddies always hang out on the weekends, and don't have much to do. Shane always wonders what is on the other side of the bridge, in Brooklyn. One night he decides to go there with a few buddies. He sees the club of Studio 54. He has heard all about it in the news and papers. Many stars go there, people he admires. The only problem is, you are only allowed in if you are on the list, or you are good looking enough to enter.
Mike Myers plays Steve Rubell, owner of Studio 54. He has it made. He is pulling in a ton of money from 54. He is the one who makes the list of the people allowed in, and he is also the judge of who is good looking enough to enter. On the night that Shane comes, he allows Shane in, but he does not allow his friends to come in. Shane feels guilty, but enters anyway. He is about to have the time of his life. He enters 54, and sees all the glitz and glamour. People are dancing, music is playing, and everyone is happy. It is like a dream come true. He is now placed on the list, so he is allowed in at anytime. As he comes back more and more, Steve offers him a job as a bartender. He meets Greg (Breckin Meyer) and his wife Anita. (Selma Hayek) As the movie progresses, the three of them become great friends.
One night at 54, Shane spots his dream girl, Julie Black. (Neve Campbell) Julie is a soap star who is extremely popular. He has always wanted to meet her and now is his chance. He talks with her, and they seem to get along. As the movie goes, Julie and Shane meet some more and get together. They become boyfriend and girlfriend after meeting the day after Chirstmas. The relationship between Shane and Julie was way underdeveloped and not told very well at all. Neve Campbell gives a fair performance in her short, ten minute roll. She could have been shown a lot more, and her character could have been developed.
Greg and Anita's marriage is having many problems. Greg thinks that Anita and Shane are having an affair, which they are not. Anita's dream is to be a singer. She wants to sing at 54 in front of everyone, and she finally gets the opportunity at a New Year's Eve party. Everyone likes her performance, and Greg is very proud. Greg and Anita eventually work everything out, including their friendship with Shane.
Steve keeps bumping Shane up in the ranks at 54. Shane is making a lot of money now, and he is modeling for magazines. Steve is proud to have Shane at 54. Greg is becoming quite jealous, and their friendship is becoming jeopardized. Shane is still close to his family at home, but he is mostly in the city now. He is starting to become unhappy with his life and what he is doing. The only thing he has is the title "Shane 54" and a whole lot of money. Now, Steve is in a lot of trouble with the law. He is losing money, and they are ordering for 54 to be shut down. Once it is shut down, everything is back to normal. Shane is still a big star, rich and famous. Anita and Greg stay together and remain friends with Shane. A few years later, they re-open 54 for a couple of years. Everyone is there for the reunion, including Shane. Shane simply smiles at Steve, not speaking a word to him. 54 is not all that it used to be, and a few years later 54 would shut down once again.
54 is an over dramatic tale of the rise and fall of a boy with a dream. It had a lot of potential to be a great film, but failed. The plot is not strong at all, and a lot of things aren't explained in the film. Ryan Phillippe over acts throughout the entire movie. Mike Myers deserves an Oscar nod for his role as the owner of 54. Breckin Myer, Neve Campbell, and Selma Hayek all give mediocre performances in their underdeveloped roles. If they had not cut out so many scenes, and added about twenty more minutes of footage, 54 could have been a real winner.
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