Rating: 
Summary: Discriminating viewers, check it out...
Review: I bought this film on VHS, widescreen, a few years ago, because I am somewhat of an AIDS activist and was impressed with the cast. After watching it the first time, I thought it was a bit too sentimental and tear-jerking. I've watched it since, and am amazed at what I missed the first time. First off, Eric Roberts (known for being nuts a lot) gives a admirably controlled performance, belying his reputation. He is truly wonderful; centered and sensitive. Every nuance is remarkable! I am so impressed. I've done some research, and found that Randal Kleiser put himself in the character of Brandon (Gregory Harrison), maybe to redeem his guilt trip. He'd apparently taken 10 years to put this film together, and found an outstanding, stellar cast; he should be given credit for talent and integrity. The gay community lambasted this film initially because of the stereotypes, but, hey, I thought this was a composite of life as it is...straight or gay...they were all there; the only unbelievable thing to me was that Nik called all his friends and they showed up. (This would never happen with me). One of the most amazing facets of the film was the editing of Ila von Hasperic, not only for the flashbacks, but the incredible group scenes, dialogue, scene shifts, etc. Most impressive! I think that if the ending wasn't so predictable, this is a film Altman would love to make. The ensemble cast was used to great advantage. There are terrific performances from Margaret Cho, Lee Grant, Bronson Pinchot (the snot you love to hate), Roddy MacDowall, Marlee Matlin and Olivia Newton-John (who Kleiser used to good advantage in "Grease"). Some fine moments to be aware of: Brandon turns on his TV and he's watching "Night of the Hunter", the scene where Shelley Winters' body is at the bottom of the river...suddenly he's with her, alone, looking for Nik. ("Night of the Hunter" is also the only film directed by Charles Laughton, thought a failure in its initial release). This is disturbing to me, because it suggests that suicide is OK. Under these circumstances, I'm not sure. It's a very unpleasant but positive argument. Olivia's final song (over closing credits) "Don't Cut Me Down" pretty much tells it all. This film is so full of great moments, and it gets very weepy throughout, but Kleiser has put together a narrative that is important now as much as in 1996. There's also "bite your tongue" humor, and sweetness. The absolute bottom line is that Eric Roberts knows how to keep his mouth shut. It's during these moments...his reactions...a simple phrase...makes me want to see him in other roles than those he's known for. I could see him doing Crowe's role in "A Beautiful Mind". Is that over the edge? See this film, and you might agree. He's never shown such control.
Rating: 
Summary: Star studded gay/AIDS flick.
Review: "It's My Party" brings together a huge list of familiar faces. They probably worked for peanuts and thought they were making a powerful, moving film. Instead, what was made was a generic and rather insulting film.The movie focuses mainly on the plight of Nick (Eric Roberts). What could possibly be the problem? What else...he's dying of AIDS. Nick actually has almost an entire wall of photos of friends of his. Who are they? Who else...they are people Nick knew who have died of AIDS. It's amazing that there are any gay people left in this country judging by how many are dropping like flies in most gay themed movies. So what is Nick like? Well, he is rather snippy, has a good fashion sense, claps his hands a lot and makes lots of biting remarks. Oh yeah, he also likes to listen to plenty of Erasure. He finds out that he is at an advanced stage of his disease and he decides he wants to die with dignity. Lots of gay guys and some straight women are invited to a farewell party he's throwing. Of course, there aren't any straight guys because a gay guy couldn't possibly have any of those as friends. I found this movie to be quite trite and demeaning. The stereotyping shows a complete lack of knowledge about real life. Also, Nick isn't a very sympathetic character and it is only made worse by introducing his disease very early in the film, before we have had the chance to get attached to him. The writer/director was none other than Randal Kleiser. He's the genius who has brought us such groundbreaking films such as "The Blue Lagoon", "Big Top Pee-wee" and "Honey, I Blew Up The Kid". It's amazing that someone of this caliber couldn't bring us a more realistic and touching look at the devastation of AIDS and our own mortality. That's a shame because it is such an important topic.
Rating: 
Summary: Thought provoking...
Review: This is a very unconventional movie. I hadn't heard anything about it when it was released. You'd think that since one of the main topics is impending death, the whole movie would be pretty morbid. In fact, although there is a definite underlying sadness throughout the whole movie, one has to admire Nick (the main character) for his upbeat attitude. I don't want to give too much away, as it would ruin the effect of the movie. My friend who watched it with me mentioned that it had an "indie" feel to it. Definitely not the normal gloss and correctness of mainstream Hollywood. I'd definitely see it again.
Rating: 
Summary: A labor of love
Review: I've read that it took years for this film to get made and every studio in town turned it down. After finally watching it, I understand why. It doesn't have that happy-go-lucky-feel-good quota that Hollywood must churn out to make the masses happy. This film is about AIDS and how one man decides to end his life. The idea of a dying man having all his friends over for a last party before he swallows a handfull of pills is not exactly gonna do Harry Potter box office now is it? The person to watch here is Eric Roberts, the creepy brother of Julia, who turns in THE performance of his career. He saves this movie from some crap dialog and preposterous situations. Margaret Cho, Marlee Matlin and the criminally underrated Lee Grant (as Eric Roberts devastated, chain smoking mother) all give solid support. This is not for everyone, but it is rewarding and brave.
Rating:
Summary: It's My Party
Review: I cry everytime I watch this movie. It's a tale of the last couple of days for a man who is dying of AIDS. He decides that he's throwing a farewell party for himself, and invites all the people that mean the most to him in his life. It's a very moving story of mending old wounds and wrapping up unfinished business. Grab a box of Kleenex and settle in for a great movie and a good cry.
Rating:
Summary: BITTERSWEET
Review: The film is a sad sort of "farewell party" for the character played by Eric Roberts. Roberts is gay and has had AIDS for a number of years when he is told that he really only has a number of days to live a normal life because his brain is being "overtaken" by symptoms of the disease. He decides that he, like friends before him, will commit suicide to avoid the pain and distress of suffering that he might otherwise face and put his family through. He puts together a farewell party and invites all his friends and family, except for one... his longtime partner-whose name is Brandon, I think (with whom he had broken up a year earlier when the lover could not handle his disease). The premise of the film is interesting and some of the moments in the film are quite poignant and thought provoking, but the cast is really too large to create any real intimacy. When one of the friends (played by comedian Margaret Cho) decides to tell Brandon herself that there are only a number of days left, Brandon shows up at the party. Eventually, after several days, Brandon and Eric Roberts's character reconcile. Overall there are just too many characters and things going on to focus well enough. (Also stars Marlee Matlin as Eric Roberts's sister, George Segal as his estranger father, Bronson Pinchot as one of his many friends, Olivia Newton John and Bruce Davison as more of his friends... and the list goes on and on...) Overall not a movie to watch if you are depressed, but it is a decent film with some rather heartwrenching scenes and issues. (When Eric Roberts and Brandon are initially breaking up and Roberts is leaving the house they have shared together throughout their relationship, Roberts breaks into tears and asks Brandon, "Can I come back here to die?" Things like that are difficult to deal with without having a tear or two fall).
Rating:
Summary: Please God, Let Me Die So Dramatically!
Review: Theoretically one should hate this film...it literally makes dying of AIDS look like chic fun. My experiences over the past 20 years have been somewhat less glamorous, to say the least. Given the reality that many of us have had to go through, you might find yourself getting angry at times. That said, if you are a romantic at heart, you will ultimately be caught up in the sentiment of this piece. Yes, you might even get a lump in your throat...however, the same one you got the last time you watched "Dark Victory". A wonderful cast, in a misguided, yet ultimately moving film.
Rating:
Summary: What a piece of ART!
Review: I bought this movie not too long after it came out. It is a heart wrenching movie but with a great cast and a lot of humor. It made the parts of the movie stand out when they went from the Comedy to the Tragidy. It was a movie of great class. It portrays the gay community in one way that I would have to say gives pride to us. Get your tissues ready you will need them. I think that I went through a whole family size box. Not really but almost...
Rating:
Summary: one of the best love story I have even seen
Review: This is one of the best love story i have ever seen. . . . passionate, loving. . Gregory Harrison and Eric Roberts are both terrific actors, and the cast are great. The story is realistic. It feels great to see Gregory and Eric worked their problems out and made up at the end. It really make you feel that life is so short, so we should treasure the moments we spend with each other and don't let any small arguments stop us from spending it with people we really care about.
Rating:
Summary: Uneven, bizarre, touching, crowded.
Review: Regretfully, I had to watch this film over three sittings, so I suspect that its emotional impact was diminished. With the cover screaming "ensemble", it becomes difficult to keep track of all the different characters, and more importantly, how each of them is connected to the central character, Nick Stark (the name of a romance hero if I ever saw one). Usually, the joy of an ensemble cast is watching the medley of actors interacting with each other. This works about half the time in this movie. Many of the actors give heartfelt performances, but . . . The script fails to make many of the excess of characters interesting. Ultimately, it is the story of the returned lover, and his attempts to reconnect with his dying partner, the provide the meat of the movie, and all the rest is dressing. For the most part, all of the rest of the characters aren't given any depth until they walk out the door. It's clear that this was a meaningful project for many of the people involved, and it is touching in its goofy, way. At times, it's a peaceful, story, attempting to give grace to a suicide, at other times, bludgeoning the viewer with its overlapping lines. Yes. He had a life. He had family. He had friends. They're sad to see him go. We get it. But we do. This is the ultimate 3-star movie. Neither good nor bad. I think it obviously has some positive role in our universe, it exists for some reason. It just didn't make that connection with me.
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