The Party's Just Beginning (2018) User Reviews

Notable directorial debut.

[patriciogl10 · 6/10 · 15 November 2019]

I've loved Karen Gillan ever since Doctor Who and I've followed her career since then. Her debut as a director comes off as true to herself, as if every single step was made with Karen's approval first. This film feels so determined in the story it wants to tell and absolutely commited to its characters and plot development. Karen's performance is also admirable as she turns into this reckless person who is struggling to cope with loss. I'm glad she chose to deal with heavy themes like this because it's important to make them visible for anyone out there who may feel identified with such a troubled state of mind.

It's a great first effort for her and hopefully she will continue down this path of making small but highly compelling indie films. If her future endeavours are also set in her native Scotland, it will certainly add a much more absorbing atmosphere, since she really succeeded in capturing a strong sense of Scotland's environment. It's what she knows, so if she embraces her roots she could even make Scotland as if it was another character, much like Woody Allen did with New York or Jean-Luc Godard did with Paris. By all means, Karen, be my guest and keep doing your thing, I'm excited for more.

It's intense.... ly intense

[Daveybryce · 7/10 · 17 December 2018]

It's certainly not a comedy, even coming from NE Scotland. It's really engaging!! It's not obvious where the story is leading or how it should turn out.

Karen is amazing and her cast is very well chosen. Think of it as more real life... not cliche'd... Eastenders (over dramatised).

Enjoy it!!!

Ps i love the fact the reviews are honest for once!

interesting first

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 21 December 2018]

24 year old Liusaidh (Karen Gillan) lives an aimless life in Inverness. She works at the cheese counter in a supermarket. She gets drunk in bars, screws random strangers, and eats chips to finish the nights. She watches a guy jump off a bridge and seems uneffected. She sees a neighbor hang himself. Her best friend Alistair is struggling with his homosexuality. She encounters Dale (Lee Pace) intent on committing suicide from the same bridge.

This is Karen Gillan's theatrical directing and writing debut. The intention is interesting. In more skilled hands, the back and forth in time would be better handled. A veteran filmmaker would have some definitive physical identifiers to differentiate the two timelines. It leaves the structure of the movie a little confused. At first, I thought she may be Sixth Sensing. Otherwise, this is an effective performance of self-destruction. It's also an interesting first stab. It's not mind blowing but it shows some promise.

The director's just beginning

[david-maciver · 7/10 · 9 November 2018]

Very good for a first time effort and was nice to see bits of home on screen (that walk home would be mental though). It's a bit scattered and Karen may have over reached a bit as there are a few too many different issues thrown in BUT shows promise for the future.

Definitely not a comedy

[esther70 · 6/10 · 28 December 2018]

This is definitely not comedy. It is a not funny at all. Overall, this is not a bad debut for Karen Gillan but nothing to be excited about. I haven't seen Matthew Beard's films before but he is surprisingly good here. Lee Pace is always reliable but he has little to work with in this movie. Karen is a bit disapppointing here but since the movie is about how her charcter sleepwalks though her life following her best friend's suicide, I can't tell for sure if her portrayal is intentional. My biggest problem with the movie is that timelines got mingled together. Coupled with the hallucination/ ghost, it is hard to tell what really happened and when it happened. Luckily, the movie have little plots and it really doesn't matter too much if you can't follow.

reminds you what others could be going through

[natcalgary · 6/10 · 26 January 2019]

Is reminds me of some friends when i was young and how they coped with tragedy. Enjoyed it

6.6

It's Just Okay

[Holli_Would · 4/10 · 3 January 2019]

I finally watched this and I wasn't thrilled with it. I did stick with the film, though I paused it many times to do something else. Anyway, the story is depressing - that's the point of the plot, anyway - and having been to Inverness, I can see how there wouldn't be much to do but get up to no good. There's a bit of story somewhere in there, but the message gets lost in all the extraneous things going on and people who's stories you never get to finish. Loads of loose ends left at the end. Overall, though, for a first effort directorial debut, it's not bad. At least Gillan wrote about home and what she probably knows best growing up in Inverness. But the film was too long and seemed to drag on in parts. Some better editing may have helped some.

Important and Powerful

[dogmaticdogs · 10/10 · 8 December 2018]

This movie is not for everyone. It is about those of us who are outsiders that often feel so dead on the inside we give up on life or seek self destructive behavior to feel alive or human, whether that be through drugs, sex, abusive relationships, risking one's life, intentional infliction of pain, or whatever else makes us feel alive for a moment, or a combination of all of the above, and the devastation it can leave behind. As someone that deals with depression and addiction to self-destructive behavioral patterns, I can tell you this movie was dead on in capturing what it truly feels like, and the impact it has on us and those around us.

For those that don't have such feelings, or know people plagued with them, I am not sure if they will get it. For those of us that do, it is hard not to view this movie as a masterpiece. It was not judgmental, overacted, or built on false assumptions. Rather, it was a brilliant showing of understanding and awareness for those of us that do not often feel understood or valued.

You will not feel good or happy leaving this movie. In fact, it was so realistic and on point it brought me straight to my dark place. However, for a change, I did not feel alone in my blackness, but felt like I was with friends that understood and wanted me to make better choices in life. For that I am grateful this important movie was made.

Absolutely exceptional. And again, I thank all of those involved for taking this so seriously.

I have no idea why IMDB has this movie listed as a comedy. It is a dark movie about depression, emptiness and suicide.

a credible showing from a novice director

[Special-K88 · 17 February 2019]

Stuck in a dead-end job and unable to cope with the recent loss of her best friend, a dissolute young woman's life spirals further out of control as she engages in various self-destructive behaviors while trying to suppress her grief and recall a much happier time in her life. Though it's not quite as compelling as it could be, this is still an interesting blend of poignant drama and character study that tackles important themes like anger, loneliness, bigotry, acceptance, and serves as an excellent showcase for Gillan (set in her hometown of Inverness, Scotland) in one of her most memorable outings to date as writer, director, and lead actress, with a haunting performance that conveys various emotional stages through her eyes, facial expressions, and body language. **½

Not just for fanboys

[A_Different_Drummer · 7/10 · 22 May 2021]

Though the fanboys will appreciate it. Gillan turbo-charges her directorial debut by casting herself as a character as far from her usual screen persona as the earth is from the moon. And pulls it off. While the story is not everyone's cuppa, fanboys notwithstanding, it makes a nice demo reel for the very talented auteur.

That's one party I won't attend again.

[deloudelouvain · 5/10 · 19 December 2018]

The Party's Just Beginning... well after watching it there wasn't any party on my couch. The movie was pretty boring to watch, senseless, with a story not interesting enough to keep you on the edge of your seat. It's a story about depressed people, but not even a good one. The acting of Karen Gillan and the rest of the cast isn't bad, far from it, but if you have a lame story it doesn't matter how good you act, it still remains a lame movie. It's one of those movies I watched once and that I will never watch again as there are thousands and thousands better movies.

An assured debut from Karen Gillan

[ilovegod-45956 · 10/10 · 27 February 2018]

I'm not going to spoil anything here, but I will say that Karen Gillan's "The Party's Just Beginning" isn't a perfect film. There's a lot of stuff going on and not all of it gets a resolution. But it's still very well acted (Gillan's best performance yet), well written, and beautifully directed. It's a very confident debut and Gillan's voice really shines through.

I've seen reviews angry at the film, saying that it "exploits" people who identify as transgender or that she "exploits" suicide, which I think is just ridiculous. I really believe that all of that is just down to the fact that Gillan tried to include a lot of different topics and themes in this film. Some are included unsuccessfully, and the film can feel a bit overstuffed, but in my opinion, most of the themes have a good pay off.

Without spoiling anything, I can say that The Party's Just Beginning is an incredibly assured debut. It's got a strong cast, a socially relevant, poignant, and funny script, and even when it doesn't land every punch, The Party's Just Beginning is still an admirable, emotional, and immensely enjoyable directorial debut that marks Karen Gillan as an actor and a director to watch. 9 out of 10.

The great debut with important message to audience.

[Ska4Live · 7/10 · 10 February 2019]

"As the world fell...each of us in our own way was broken. It was hard to know who was more crazy. Me... Or everyone else." This famous quote from Mad Max: Fury Road can be easily applied to the latest Karen Gillan work - "The party is just beginning". Every character(s) in the movie has depression\pain\internal self-destruction process in their own way. It does not matter what gender, age or social status they are. Everyone's - affected. We see, Aliester (played by amazing Matthew Beard ) - guy from Inverness, from bad family, who is astonished by being not understandable by his close friend. But he doesn't even care about those one special person who was always right next to him and support him in every decision he makes. Dale (aka "Ronan the Accuser" aka Lee Pace) - an individual who suffer himself for not being "a man". He can't give his family enough support, therefore he goes to Inverness, to finish his last days. "Happy caller" - is an old man from Inverness, who lost his wife some time ago, and now feels lonely without close person he could talk to. Despite that fact that he has a children's, he is scared to phone them, as for seeing himself as a burden for his family. Everyone from characters above are connected with our main storyteller - Liusaidh (Lucy) played by "Nebula" - Karen Gillan. And I must admit, her performance is stunning. Probably best for all her career. So, we see Inverness through Lucy eyes. Her close friend has abandoned her almost year ago, and now she is on her way of self destruction, although she thinks it is the way how this world works. Actions and decisions she makes are filled with carnal and alcoholic pleasure, caused by helpless of support from her family. As already mentioned, everyone in this movie are victims of depression, and Lucy family aren't exclusion. Both of parents takes mental distance from each other, as the result, their daughter became a victim too. I give a credit to Karen as a Director debut. She has made very meaningful and in the same way sensitive project. Sadly, film represent current situation for many people across the world, who are does not find appropriate support, and trying to run from this world and hide itself down inside of self brain. Anyway, for those who trying to run away from modern pop cultural super heroes and multiverses, please take a look on this one.

Do not know why this comes up as a comedy. Drama yes!

[dimebagboltz · 4/10 · 15 December 2018]

From the first drunk karaoke scene I thought this looked like a good comedy as I am a big fan of UK films..

It turned out to be about a girl who loses a friend who takes their lives and she sees him where ever she goes..

It's basically night clubbing.. random encounters followed by a kebab..

Apart from the good acting and music I don't know how I watched this till the end where it just finishes and you are left to ask yourself? Is that it ?

Time to Wake Up

[ThomasDrufke · 7/10 · 1 August 2019]

This is the type of film that used to get a theatrical release, but ultimately finds itself strictly released on streaming services or straight to home video. It's unfortunate, because The Party's Just Beginning certainly has something to say about grief, depression, finding your purpose, and suicide. The directorial debut from star Karen Gillan is raw, grounded, and powerful, even if it doesn't fully take the premise in the direction you may be thinking. At the very least, it proves Gillan could be a force as a director with brave material and once again showcasing her talent in front of the camera. Also, the title? Absolutely & brilliantly meta.

7.3/10

The Party's Just Beginning Review

[felipepm17 · 6/10 · 10 July 2019]

I think the protagonist matures during the story, but only if I'm really looking to say that something happened.

A hidden gem

[ethanbresnett · 7/10 · 2 July 2020]

The Party's Just Beginning is listed on IMDb as a comedy/drama, but I would say it falls much more heavily into the latter category. It is a pretty heavy going film at times, dealing with suicide, mental health and depression in an uncompromising and unforgiving way. It really is quite a unique film, and one that blindsided me in its frankness, sombre tone but also its beauty in parts. Themes of friendship, loss, love, hope, and despair are explored in a very nuanced and accomplished way by debut filmmaker Karen Gillan.

I love Gillan's back catalogue of work, and have to say that she was astoundingly good in this. Given the right film she is destined for an Oscar, I'm almost certain of it. There was so much going on beneath the surface of her performance, so much depth to her emotion and pain, it really was a treat to watch. Her character was very well crafted, and I loved the non-linear story telling which slowly explored her relationship with Alistair throughout the film. For me what Karen Gillan did really well was create a character who was in such a dark place, but who we as an audience could fully sympathise with and support. There was lots of emotional investment for me in this film.

The Party's Just Beginning uses silence and also its score really well in conveying emotion and meaning. This film wasn't flooded with dialogue, giving the audience plenty of time for contemplation on the events of the film and to digest them. Much like the film, the setting of the Scottish Highlands was gritty, harsh, yet beautiful, mirroring the themes and tone of the film perfectly. A real triumph for Gillan in terms of performance, script and direction.

This film really is a hidden gem which I can't recommend enough. It excels in so many areas and, while it might not be everyone's cup of tea, is most definitely worth watching to find out.

Meh

[temuukaaaaa · 4/10 · 16 December 2018]

What should i say, i expected more than this, messed up ending, messed up beginning, missing all good points, no hidden messages, the girl is just screwing up with the guys to see his friend's illusion/ghost/ or something idk. Just don't commit suicide, it's bad thing, you may hurt peoples by your dead, that's the only one thing i get it from this movie, good day.

The "Trainspotting" of Depression

[brandon_veracka · 9/10 · 25 April 2019]

If you've ever read the book or seen "Trainspotting" the film, you know that it gives an unfiltered look at what heroin addiction is and its effect on people, all through the eyes of the main character Mark Renton. In a very similar fashion, "The Party's Just Beginning" gives you a glimpse into the hellish world of depression.

Karen Gillan did an amazing job writing and directing this film, which is especially surprising (and awesome) because it's her first. As a directorial debut it's a hit, but even from a seasoned director this would easily be a winner. Like any film that deals with such a specific and supremely dark subject matter (and being so bleak as it is), it's certainly not going to win everybody's heart. However it's that bleakness that Karen managed to capture which really resonated with me, and is portrayed so well, both in the film's characters and its substance.

In fairness, I must admit to some bias, as I've always found Karen gobsmackingly beautiful. With that said, if you've ever struggled with depression, this is likely to resonate with you. And if you're like me, it's going to leave you crying and writing good reviews. Finally worth mentioning is that the last film I gave a 9/10 to was "Pulp Fiction"; indeed, I liked it that much, and I can't say enough good things about it.

Good for a debut

[ebabsy-60853 · 7/10 · 14 September 2020]

Scotland, drugs and death. When starting this movie you can't help but make the obvious comparison to Trainspotting. But where Trainspotting is loud and abrasive with its topic, this is a much quieter affair. Yes we have the odd drug fuelled dance scene as we follow Luci (Karen Gillan) as she drinks, drugs and sleeps away the pain of losing her friend who committed suicide a year earlier. But mostly it is quiet filled with conversations, monotony and the past constantly intruding on the present as she can't help but remember all she wants to forget. There are some funny moments from the dialogue, consistent use of the same locations adding weight to Luci's frustration that there must be more to life, as well as a couple of uncomfortable scenes, too. It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but this is possibly down to budget which keeps the cast small meaning the story has to be carried heavily by Karen Gillan which leaves very little wiggle room for growth beyond her. Ultimately this is a testimony to Karen Gillan's acting, writing and directing and I do look forward to seeing other projects from her behind the camera.

The Party's Just Beginning

[henry8-3 · 5/10 · 20 June 2020]

Gillen stars in and directs this dark tale of a girl unable to come to terms with the suicide of her best friend and seeks solace in drink and casual sex.

Labelled somewhat confusingly as part comedy - which it isn't - this is a low budget, gritty little piece, happily free of melodrama. Gillen is front and centre throughout and demonstrates along with everything else she's been doing that there are no ends to her talents. Overall well acted but extremely grim and probably more suited to television although there's little difference these days.

PARTY GIRL

[js-66130 · 8/10 · 13 March 2019]

Chastising small town Scottish life to indifferent yet surly pubsters more interested in their drink than this open mic looney, Liusaidh delivers her trash talk with poetic vigour before stumbling out for her nightly shag and take away.

As Liusaidh, (Lucy or Loosey) Karen Gillan owns the screen, as she trudges through her insufferable existence, something her best friend decided against a year's past. Her nightly drink/shag/fries concludes with a stagger over the train bridge favoured by local jumpers, and visions of her dear departed, departing. This unsettling tragedy of events soon becomes mundane with repetition, as is everything in the unfortunate ville of Inverness.

Staring into deep dead space from the local deli counter, under harsh fluorescents and a tight hairnet, she encounters a new bloke interested in more than just processed meats, and we are off. "The Party's Just Beginning" doesn't follow the paint by numbers movie canvass, instead delivering a choppy story in jumpy time slices, with equal doses of edgy humour and dark pathos. Attention must be paid.

Although there are glimmers of hope, the film, like it's perpetually grey, dead end town, has trouble finding a rainbow among the clouds, and that may be the point.

This one, for better or worse, or both, stays with you.

If you get it, you get it.

[W011y4m5 · 7/10 · 16 January 2023]

Karen Gillan's directorial debut is actually not at all a bad start for an actress turned filmmaker, channeling the essence of Danny Boyle's "Trainspotting" & Phoebe Waller-Bridge's "Fleabag" to create a somewhat inconsistent movie (which sadly starts off rather weak, but ends surprisingly strongly) that's mature enough to admit how grief is far too long a process to chronicle in the space of a mere 90 minutes, & thus, rather than biting off more than it could ever hope to chew, ambitiously endeavouring to cram Liusaidh's entire development in the space of the short run-time, she's far more economical with her storytelling & mindfully opts to shift focus to the road of acceptance, acknowledging by the denouement that the party which this leads in to (by the closing credits) is poetically just the beginning of a much longer emotional journey that the protagonist will have to go on (hence the title) in order to heal & thus, we won't be able to witness her full recovery - simply the opening chapter.

Therefore, things deliberately aren't resolved satisfyingly & a sense of closure isn't fully provided, authentically reflecting how reality often deprives us of the resolution we feel we deserve, yet it succeeds in capturing the rawness of loss in the wake of someone's unexpected & traumatic departure (the anger, indignation, self-hatred, perceived responsibility, unhealthy coping mechanisms & flawed nature of humanity - to rage against the dying of the light) & explores how the living may personally reconcile with death (in their own individualistic way, taking as long as they need) so those whom are left behind can find their own peace, eventually.

Yes, the execution is perhaps messy, there are a few lines of dialogue which may be seen to suggest something (offensively) unintentional but I'd argue that's a conscious creative decision (understandably made), since the feature aims to mirror the imperfections of the people it's seeking to depict & again, considering not everything shown is truly processed by the final scene, it's obviously reaffirming the thematic point of the narrative; more time is required for her to ironically get herself back on track after derailing, after the event she's witnessed.

Who Cares About Dialogue?

[westsideschl · 3/10 · 8 May 2019]

There are some UK dialects that are challenging for the rest of the English speaking world, including other UK speakers, to understand. This was one of them. To make matters worse the audio level controls were all over the place; even important phone conversations were indecipherable. Making matters even more worse, enunciation was often poor. Conclusion: I guess narrative & storytelling is not important. The kicker - they were too cheap to add subtitling for all the aforementioned reasons & as a courtesy to deaf, hard-of-hearing, and non-English speakers. As for the story: Lots of flashbacks to confuse you, smoking, drinking, drugs, bad sex (fortunately not shown) followed by french fries (that adds diet to the naughty list), usual wild bar scenes w/ dumb karaoke. Supposedly our actress is having a tough time in life - I would call it self indulgent pity. Acting really wasn't needed; just look depressed.

Not worth a second watch

[amiamieva · 1/10 · 7 January 2020]

Boring, I didn't care about her character at all...