August 29, 1998 -- "54" reminded me a lot of the movie "Boogie Nights," it was about the same period of time, the late 1970s and early 1980s, disco music was prominent and the theme was similar, that is, young man rises to the top and is corrupted by power, sex and drugs. It is also a good movie.

The story revolves around a handsome young man, Shane O'Shea (Ryan Phillippe), who finds a way out of New Jersey by getting a job at the legendary night club Studio 54 in Manhattan. He gains favor with the club's wild owner Steve Rubell (Mike Myers of "Wayne's World").

The naive O'Shea is immediately caught up in games of power, sex, money and drugs. He spins out of control, along with his young friends, Anita (Salma Hayek) and Greg (Breckin Meyer). All are brought down when Rubell himself is cornered by the IRS.

Myers gives a standout performance as the drugged out Rubell, a guy who wants to be loved by everybody. He's at once a savvy businessman and a dreamer who creates a magical place where the common folk can mingle with the rich and famous, as long as the poor folk look good, of course.

As in "Boogie Nights" the story is about the seamy side of the 1970's and 80's, about how power and drugs corrupt everyone they touch and how fast people can fold when money is the only thing they value. There's a nice love story between O'Shea and soap opera star Julie Black (Neve Campbell of the "Scream" movies) who is also a refugee from Jersey

Although the movie doesn't have the hard edge of "Boogie Nights," there is a certain amount of gritty realism in it. To me, the story was also more compelling and I liked the fact there wasn't any gratuitous violence as in "Boogie Nights," just sex. It rates an A.

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