Week 10: A movie with a number in the title

Studio 54: The Documentary 

Release date: Oct 5 2018

Directed by: Matt Tyrnauer

Everyone knows the beloved Studio 54 formerly located around Midtown Manhattan, New York-home to some of the craziest parties and craziest drug trips of all times. I was super excited to see this movie come to Netflix cuz I have always been fascinated with the style and cultures that popped out of Studio 54. The whole documentary follows Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager, founders of the club, through the hardships, heartbreak and happiness that came through the process of creating this eighth wonder of the world.

Ian Schrager is really the star of this documentary; he walks us through how him and Steve met and what they wanted to come out of their club. It was super interesting how they used old Rubell interviews played over Studio 54 clips to make up for his absence. The idea was so clever and described as something Steve would have wanted. This documentary really hits all the key points of Studio 54; from the construction to the jail time that ended up coming to Ian and Steve. I also really liked how most of the footage in the movie is straight from the 70’s and the 80’s. There is not a ton of face to face interviews from the present and without those things it really transports you to the real time of Studio 54. 

There really isn’t’ much more to talk about this documentary movie. It was a really well put together documentary about a part of history that will never be forgotten. I give it a 7/10. There was nothing bad about it but I easily lost some interest while watching it and probably would not watch it again. It did make me want to look more into the whole subject about all the money that was taken and how Studio 54 got away with these things for so freaking long. If you are looking to pass some time and want to just get a little disco history lesson, pop some popcorn and give it a watch. It is by no means a waste of time.