The Party's Just Beginning [DVD]

Very few movies capture just how debilitating depression can be like this one. Karen Gillan writes, directs, and stars in this movie about a sharp young Scottish woman who is spiraling out of control after witnessing the suicide of a close friend. It's a small, bleak character study, but it is observant and beautifully performed.If you like things like KUMIKO, THE TREASURE HUNTER or TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT, I suspect you'll get a lot out of this one as well.

Amazon will sell just about anything these days apparently..... This film is a mess. Incoherent, crude and just a plain waste of time. While it's true everyone handles grief in their own unique way, it is the filmmaker' s belief that sex and drugs are the antidote. I rented this because I liked K. Gillan from Dr. Who. Well, she certainly is playing against type. I hated this film. I hope Ms Gillan' s next attempt at filmmaking has an actual beginning, middle and end. This movie did not. Writing and directing a film is a big undertaking and I'm afraid she isn't ready for writing or directing yet. Take some classes or just read and watch some films. As a writer myself, I believe you should start small with what you know best. Life is a process. And so is writing. 2stars.

To be honest, I only got The Party's Just Beginning because I'm a huge Karen Gillan fan; I'm trying to see everything she's in, and I was curious to see how she'd do as a writer/director. Based on its description though, I thought the movie sounded quite depressing, which is something I usually try to avoid. I don't mind 'sad' or 'tragic', but outright depressing is a hard sell for me. This one though, well it was sad but I'll admit it was also quite depressive in places. But - how should I say it? - it was so good it could get away with it. In fact, the film probably wouldn't really have worked otherwise.Karen plays Lucy, a very troubled young woman - much more so than any of her family or friends seem to realize - caught in a seemingly dead end life she can't get out of, whose mourning for the death by suicide of her best friend a year ago is tearing her apart. The movie plays out in both the present and in frequent flashbacks to when Lucy's friend was still alive. As things go from bad to worse in both time frames, The Party's Just Beginning is a hard watch at times, with one scene in particular excruciatingly difficult to watch in its entirety. But other scenes can be suprisingly uplifting and tender. In the 'current' time frame, Lucy is trying to bury her grief with a string of not-so-successful trysts, but they seem to be making her More lonely and distraught, not less. Both time frames wind their way to what increasingly look like they're not exactly going to be happy endings, though you still find yourself hoping things will somehow turn around. Great acting all around helps top the film off. A hard watch, but worth it.

I must start by stating I rarely review things. That being said, I felt compelled to write a review based on both the impact of this film, and seeing other reviews from some individuals that clearly did not understand the film.I knew almost nothing about this movie going into it, other than knowing Ms Gillan was a talented actress from other Shows/Movies. I was not prepared at all for the gravity and depth of what I encountered.This is a very good film, in my opinion, especially for a first foray into writing and directing. It can be, however, emotionally difficult to watch.(Small spoiler gap for those who wish to go into watching it without foreknowledge)------As someone that has lost more than one friend to suicide, this film hit home rather sharply. There are many ways that those left behind can try to cope with the tumult of raw emotions they are left with, and this is one of the darker paths for 'self medication' coping.The timeline jumping took a bit to get into the swing of, and may be confusing for some, but it helps unfold the reasons behind the main character's actions, and how we can not only find ourselves in similar situations over time; but can draw from our experiencing even when we are at the edge in our own state. Yes, a few words CAN change a life.People make poor decisions in grief, survivor's guilt is real..... yet there is a light at the end of this tunnel in some level of acceptance to yourself which is portrayed subtly here.Overall, even through the emotional wringing that can some of watching this movie, I enjoyed the film and thought she brought a good perspective that I have not seen very often.

This is not a fun movie, but it's a good one. The aftermath of suicide is the pain and suffering of your loved ones. No one has an obligation to live for others, but maybe this movie could provide motivation for a suicidal person to seek help, and start living for themselves. The Party is just Beginning provides a point-of-view I've never seen in film before.

It was good to watch Karen Gilliam plays a young woman in her 20's in a movie she produced that won a Tribeca film festival 2018. It was good to watch Karen in a different roll than Dr . who fame ,I though she was brilliant in it it's about. A suicide of a friend, she's trying to overcome, by forming relationship s with different men .good kariokie scene ,one naked scene side view and back from a distance, some pot smoking pub drinking nicely done.

This is Scotland, as it is -- full of life, lives, friendships, pain and love. An outstanding work, finely crafted with elaborate editing and structure that is never "just for the sake of it", and always in the service of delivering the exact experience the auteur intends. This film delivers. Kudos.

Was a good movie touching on suicide and having to hide your feelings.

First a warning; this is quite a bit darker than anything else Karen has done to date. There are several serious adult themes here; not appropriate for children. That being said, this is a powerful, disturbing, yet moving film, written, directed and starring Karen. The only disappointment for me is that isn't available on blu-ray yet.

My son loved this film.karen gillian is a brilliant actress.

I did not like this film as I found it to be too dark.