It’s been over a month since we were last treated to a “Piper, noooo” in that singular southern twang, and we need our fix.Parker Poseyquickly made her way into our hearts and memes as Victoria Ratliff, a standout character in Season 3 ofThe White Lotus. However, before she played a hilarious spoiled rich lady,Posey spent an entire illustrious careerplaying a slew of (less internet-famous) out-there characters.
In fact,Timemagazine named Posey “Queen of the Indie” in 1997. Just two years before, Posey made her lead debut in the rather low-budget but exceedingly delightfulParty Girl, which came just two years after her debut in Richard Linklater’s beloved stoner comedyDazed and Confused. Well,Party Girlis now streaming on Prime, and it is so ’90s, so fun, and so full of great Parker Posey moments to tide over anyone that’s been missing her unmistakable presence.
What Is ‘Party Girl’ About?
Directed by Daisy Von Scherler Mayer,Party Girlwas also a historical film, being the first feature film to ever premiere on the internet, practicallypaving the way for the modern streaming era.The comedy stars Parker Posey as Mary, a young woman living an unfettered life in New York City in the ’90s. She is the life of every party she goes to and often organizes functions. One fateful night, an underground rave that Mary has thrown is busted, and she is arrested.Mary is bailed out by her grandmother, Judy, under the condition that she take a new job working alongside her at the library. Reminding Judy too much of Mary’s mother and the party-girl demeanor she also had, Judy wants to make moves to protect Mary.
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Mary is initially resistant to her new clerk job, but soon becomes a Dewey Decimal virtuoso by day and a party animal by night. Alongside her roommate, Leo (Guillermo Diaz), and burgeoning love interest, Lebanese street vendor, Mustafa (Omar Townsend), Mary starts to discover new sides of herself. Now, Mary must go on a hilarious journey to determine if her heart lies on the club dance floor or in the stacks of the New York Public Library.
Parker Posey’s Party Full of People
Of course, the predominant reason anyone should streamParty Girlis the magnetic leading performance by Posey, but she is also joined by a supporting cast of more stars than you may expect. It includes an early performance from Emmy and Golden Globe-nominatedactor Liev Schrieber as Nigel,club bouncer and ex-boyfriend of Mary. Legendary drag queen The Lady Bunny makes an appearance as a part of the bustling nightlife ofParty Girl. Donna Mitchell, actress from movies likeMona Lisa Smileand noted muse of the fashion photographer Bob Richardson, also stars as Rene.Party Girlis a real “who’s who"of the New York queer arts and culture scenein the ’90s, and it feels kind of like a time capsule of a very special time in that way.
Low Budget, High Reward
Party Girlhad a budget of only $150,000, and yes, you’re able to tell. The whole thing kind of looks like it was shot on a potato, or like an old soap opera.It’s part ofParty Girl’s immense charm. The cast and crew were largely organically a part of the New York nightlife scene before the film started shooting, so a lot of the scenes feel documentary-like. did not suffer for the film’s low budget. Costume designer Michael Clancy was reportedly inspired by Posey’s own real-life fashion obsession and largely relied on favors from friends in fashion to assemble all of her outfits.
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The small, team effort feel ofParty Girlis what gives it such an authentic ’90s feel, and what makes it such a special delight to see Posey, “queen of the indie,” perform in it, especially so young.It feels like a true passion project, absent of any studio greed. It is delightfully frivolous, strange, and celebratory of a certain time and place.Party Girlis a quintessential example of alow-budget project standing the test of time, and it ironically seems that it has all been brought back to the forefront thanks to the deliriously rich Victoria Ratliff.
Party Girlis now streaming on Prime Video and for free on Tubi.
Party Girl
