Funkytown

Funkytown

I didn’t even know why I went to see this film other than there was nothing else playing. I had no idea what it was about and it was a pleasant surprise. It takes place in Montreal between the years 1976 and 1980.Disco is the rage and the Starlight Disco was the place to go to see the best performers of the day. Apparently the action is based on the actual ‘Limelight Disco’.

One of the main characters is Bastien Lavallee, the MC at the disco. He is big time. All the bright lights of the music world played at this club. People cheered him and he lived a fast life. His charming wife and adorable daughter rarely saw him. A large part of the film shows his rapid decline as he gets more involved with women and drugs. This was based on an actual person.

We see another seedy side of the Montreal scene. Jonathon is an openly gay reporter for Party Disco Dance. He shows us the seamy side of the gay world.

The film is built on many levels. The historical aspect alone is fascinating. We see news clips showing the Parti Quebecois on the news. It is the time of the referendum and the language law is in full force.

We also see the rise and fall of several of the characters. Drugs were part of the problem. The gay scene was very active. The histrionics and jealousy amongst the players caused havoc in many cases.

Gilles is a record producer who loaned money to his son to run the Starlight Disco. He is a controlling father and ruthless in business. The inter personal relations are very interesting. Gilles is also a playboy beyond belief. I was so surprised to see a change of character in Gilles with a satisfying ending.

There is English and French spoken in the film. I believe that this was truly representative of the time.

Other characters play significant roles. Adriana had been a successful model. She wanted to be a singer. At first she went off with Bastien and was responsible for turning him back on drugs. She then took up with the aged Gilles and he made her into a musical success. The fascinating part was that she couldn’t sing. Gilles actually used the voice of a gospel singer (without her permission) and Adriana mouthed the songs in a very dramatic way. Gilles pays a big price for his actions.

Mimi is facing hard times and Gilles won’t help her. She tried to get Gilles to promote her single record. He won’t touch it because it is in French. He also tells her she needs to lose weight.

I imagine these were interesting times in Montreal. The film also gave me a glimpse of the behind scenes of the music world. Discos, the recording business and music reporters are an unknown to me and I was transformed into a different space.

I didn’t like many of the characters. Some ended up tragically. At the end of the film you are informed about some of the characters. I think the film is well done and I found it fascinating.