Customer Reviews
Interesting flick about the legendary nightclub - By: LXIX, 19 Nov 2008 
Studio 54, the New York nightclub that had its heyday in the late 70's & early 80's, now has a cult status. Even the mighty MGM Grand's nightclub in Las Vegas, for example, is named after the famous disco shack & is themed around it. So, if you're interested in late 70's disco anthems, how club culture developed or just an interesting 90-odd minutes of drama involving sex, drugs & music then this film will be for you.
The plot is about a fresh-faced teenager (Shane) who is picked out of the crowd trying to enter Studio 54. He rises through the ranks to bartender (a prestigious role - apparently) & the story follows his human-interest relationships (family, friends, lovers, work colleagues, bosses etc) against the backdrop of the club's rise & subsequent falll due to tax evasion.
This is not a brilliant film, but it does have an interesting cast (including a number of cameo roles) as well as a decent soundtrack - if disco music is your scene of course.
Overalll, it's watchable, but it's a bit like watching Saturday Night Fever's little brother.
Not as good as it should have been - By: A. C. Williams, 09 Jun 2007 I'm a huge fan of the mythos of the origial Studio 54, but unfortunately Miramax wouldn't let Mark Christopher have the final say. Ryan Phillipe's suprisingly good performance is cut, to highlight his torso & pout - & Mike Myers isn't given HALF enough time to show off his amazing take on Steve Rubell. Neve Cambell is as dull as usual, but gladly her on screen time is very limited.
Overalll, quite a depressing film - but only in the same way that Saturday Night Fever isn't a disco at alll - it's a harsh telling of a 70s story.
I was pleasantly surprised by this film, but it would have been SO much better if Miramax had let Christopher do what he intended, & kept alll the cuts. What we need is a director's cut - that would get 5 stars.
One of the mest soundtracks ever - By: C. Konstantino, 27 Jan 2007 
The movie is not a documentary but a character driven film, which quite good. It captures the sentiment & aura of the place & era. The soundtrack is simply unbelievable. It has the best of disco , & don't be surprised to find songs from the seventies because that is when it started. For you that you are into that 80 stuff, don't bother... Otherwise you will definitely enjoy the movie!
54 - By: Dave Kraven, 25 Jun 2006 
Ryan Phillipe, Salma Hayek, Neve Campbell & Mike Myers star in director Mark Christopher's bold but frivolous chronicle of the infamous 1970s nightclub Studio 54 & it's a letdown from the get-go. The cast look uncomfortable in their roles (especiallly Phillipe & Hayek) whilst Myers isn't half-bad as homosexual emcee Steve Rubell, the soundtrack's dated even for the 70s & the overalll atmosphere is cramped with uneasiness & bad fashion sense.
Quick Reviews!! - By: carlosnightman, 12 Sep 2005 The story of the World's Greatest Club, 54 deals more with the lives of the club's employies & fans rather than with the club & the scandal surrounding it. Maybe if Cameron Crowe had directed this it would have been a lot better. The characters are not the most compelling or likable, but the Club itself looks like excellent fun. Myers is probably the best here, hamming his role perfectly, Neve is good but her character is not very appealing, Hayek unfortunately is given little to do, but does it well, & Phillipe's character is annoying, but he proves he isn't just a pretty boy by giving an okay performance. He has done better in other roles, just like the rest of the cast, but that isn't the fault of the actors. The story isn't involving enough, but there are some funny, & touching moments. The film was severely cut before release, maybe the original version would be better. The costumes & the music, & the sex & drugs are what keep this from being boring, but with a little more thought this could have been very good.
Unfortunately, the DVD extras are non-existant, but as it is unlikely that there will be a better edition of the movie, fans should buy it. As always a commentary & making of would be much appreciated, but they just ain't here.
