The Party (4 Stars)

Don't let the splash of colour in the poster fool you. The film is in black and white.

Janet has just been appointed the health minister in the UK's shadow cabinet. It's never stated which party that is. It's probably the Labour Party, but it doesn't matter. I assume that the director Sally Potter, who also wrote the script, wants the film to remain relevant to viewers whenever they watch it. Today the Labour Party is the opposition party, five years from now it might be the Conservative Party. What's important isn't Janet's political party but the party at her house which she's holding to celebrate her promotion.

One party, seven people.

Janet is the centre of attention.

Bill is Janet's husband, a retired university professor. He says that he's given up his own career to support his wife's political career, suggesting that he retired early.

Alice is Janet's best friend, a political activist with left wing views.

Gottfried is Alice's husband. He describes himself as a Life Coach. He encourages people to be happy and enjoy life by reciting pseudo-mystical slogans which none of the other party guests take seriously.

Martha is a university professor who was once Bill's student.

Jenny is a young woman who was once Martha's student, but is now Martha's wife.

Tom is a successful investment banker, the husband of Janet's personal secretary Marianne. Tom and Marianne were invited as a couple, but he arrives at the party without her.

Once the guests arrive the party can begin. There are multiple intrigues. I'm afraid to say anything about them because I don't want to give away any spoilers.

The film's strength isn't in what happens, it's in the conversations. All seven of the actors put on first class performances. There are subtle hints of a battle of the sexes, although the topic isn't overplayed. Bill is certainly the most intelligent person in the room, but he's chosen to live in the shadow of his wife. Jenny is a man-hater who claims that all men are rapists, but her wife Martha insists that not all men are completely evil.

Usually Germany shows films later than in England, anything between two weeks and three months, but this is an exception. "The Party" is a British film, but the German release date is two months before it will be shown in England. I strongly recommend that my English friends go to see it in the cinema in September.

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Click here to listen to "Party über alles", recorded by Sturmgeist. If you understand German you'll enjoy the irony of the song. If not, just tap your feet and enjoy the beat.

Party eins, Party zwei,
Party drei, Party Sturm,
Party vier, Party fünf,
Party sechs, Party Geist,
Party sieben, Party acht,
Party neun, Party Sturm,
Party zehn, Party elf,
Party zwölf, Party Geist.

Party, Party über alles,
Party Sturm, Party Geist.
Party, Party über alles,
Party Sturm, Party Geist.

Party Fritz, Party Helga,
Party schnell, Party Sturm,
Party ich, Party du,
Party ach, Party Geist,
Party hier, Party jetzt,
Party hard, Party Sturm,
Party ihn, Party sie,
Party geil, Party Geist.

Party, Party über alles,
Party Sturm, Party Geist.
Party, Party über alles,
Party Sturm, Party Geist.

Party eins, Party zwei,
Party drei, Party Sturm,
Party Fritz, Party Helga,
Party schnell, Party Geist,
Party frech, Party frisch,
Party stark, Party Sturm,
Party hübsch, Party Deutsch,
Party geil, Party Geist,

Party frech, Party frisch,
Party stark, Party Sturm,
Party Ordnung, Party muss
Party sein, Party Geist,
Party hübsch, Party Deutsch,
Party Sex, Party Sturm,
Party Thor, Party Fricka,
Party Siegfried, Party Geist.

Party, Party über alles,
Party Sturm, Party Geist.
Party, Party über alles,
Party Sturm, Party Geist.

Party eins, Party zwei,
Party drei, Party Sturm,
Party vier, Party fünf,
Party sechs, Party Geist,
Party sieben, Party acht,
Party neun, Party Sturm,
Party zehn, Party elf,
Party zwölf, Party Geist.

Party, Party über alles,
Party Sturm, Party Geist.
Party, Party über alles,
Party Sturm, Party Geist.