Product Details

• Actors: Eric Roberts, Gregory Harrison, Margaret Cho, Bruce Davison, Lee Grant
• Directors: Randal Kleiser
• Writers: Randal Kleiser
• Producers: Randal Kleiser, Dessie Markovsky, Gregory Hinton, Harry Knapp, Joel Thurm
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Subtitles: Spanish
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• VHS Release Date: June 24, 1997
• Run Time: 110 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304100116
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #687,968 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Director Randal Kleiser is so noted for featherweight fare like The Blue Lagoon and Grease that when It's My Party hit theaters in 1996, critics clapped while filmgoers turned fickle. But it's a potent and tear-jerking film if only because of the personal weight it bears. As Kleiser revealed in interviews at the time of the film's release, the event that made him sit down and write the film "was so powerful it became a turning point in my life," and this film is a fictionalized, heartfelt depiction of that event.

It's My Party is about Nick (Eric Roberts) a young gay man whose AIDS symptoms become life threatening. He decides to toss a final party before he ends his life and invites his friends and family to this most special of special occasions. But then the ex-love of his life--a Kleiser-like film director (Gregory Harrison) who bailed on him after he was diagnosed with AIDS--arrives.

Kleiser called in favors from his friends and they all worked for scale. He said he "never worked on a set that was so supportive." The result is a movie about AIDS that merits a second look not only because it is empathic and loving, but because it's also defined by Kleiser's honesty and self-critical desire for redemption. --Paula Nechak

Product Description

Writer-director Randal Kleiser (Grease) creates "a genuine family feeling" (Roger Ebert) with this "brave, funny and heartbreaking" (Rex Reed, The New York Observer) film starring Margaret Cho, Academy Award(r) winner* Lee Grant, Gregory Harrison, Academy Award(r) winner** Marlee Matlin, Olivia Newton-John, Bronson Pinchot, Eric Roberts, George Segal and Roddy McDowall. Roberts gives a "touching, urgent performance" (San Francisco Chronicle) as Nick, a man whose three-year battle with AIDS is about to come to a close. Rather than face debilitation, he chooses to end his life but not before throwing the greatest farewell party of all time. As friends and family gather for a bittersweet celebration, something incredible happens. It's a two-daylong, uplifting, outrageous and life-affirming party that is ultimately Nick's everlasting legacy.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great performances enhance a timely story!, January 28, 2004

By 

Reginald D. Garrard "the G-man" (Camilla, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: It's My Party [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I came upon this little-known film by accident the other evening and it was a discovery that I was glad to have made. As has previously been stated, Eric Roberts portrays "Nick" who has been living an idyllic existence with his partner "Brandon," portrayed by Gregory Harrison. Suddenly, their lives are turned inside out when Nick is diagnosed with AIDS. Brandon is unable to cope with the revelation and begins to distance himself from his friend. The strain on the relationship caused them to have a permanent and ugly separation.

One year later, as the disease begins to progress to its eventual fatal end, Nick decides to throw a "bash" for his himself, as well as his family and friends. Nick also intends on taking his own life because prior to his mind and body's deterioration.

Nick's family and friends all come with the exception of the unknowing Brandon. Margaret Cho, playing one of Nick's friends, intercedes and seeks out Brandon, telling him about his former lover's intentions. During the party, Brandon appears and amidst the celebration, he and Nick briefly reconcile.

The final meeting between the two is poignant as well as celebratory.

As far as the performances are concerned, the principals are superb. Why Roberts did not attain the heights, as his better-known sibling, Julia, is unfathomable. He is quite good as the dying Nick.

Harrison is appropriately confused and compassionate as one that must deal with his own guilt and the mortality of someone with whom he had planned to share his life.

Lee Grant, as Nick's mom, is brilliant, showing why she has been one of the most unappreciated actresses of the past fifty years.

With a supporting cast of Bronson Pinchot, George Segal, Bruce Davison, Marlee Matlin, Olivia Newton-John (who supplies the song heard over the closing credits), Roddy McDowall (in one of his last roles), and a cameo appearance by acting legend Nina Foch (as Brandon's mother), the film has the clout to be one of the best ensemble cast in recent years.

It's too bad that this well-made film came and went with little fanfare and seems now relegated to late night on cable television.

The film is powerful and deserving of wider viewership.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you have questioned Eric Roberts talents be4, C this!, January 10, 2000

By 

Donna Bradley (Etobicoke, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's My Party [VHS] (VHS Tape)

What a wonderfully written, beautifully acted movie.It is thought provoking & touching, raising questions about Aids,euthanasia & death with dignity.Eric Roberts, in a departure role for him as a usual bad boy of film, gives an OUTSTANDING performance as a victim of Aids who wants to die with dignity, so throws a party with all of his closest friends & family members. His ex lover who had previously left him since he was having difficulty dealing with the illness, ends up at the party, & they come to terms with their break up, & the inevitable. Fantastic performances abound in this movie: Gregory Harrison,Lee Grant,Olivia Newton John,Bronson Pinchot (Who provides the comic relief), Margaret Cho, Marlee Matlin, & of course, the ever fabulously talented Roddy MacDowell. I was worried that this movie would be terribly depressing...I had trouble with Philadelphia.Though that movie was well written & acted, I found it oppressive. 'It's My Party' is fantasic!You'll laugh, you'll cry, & the soundtrack is wonderful.Reminded me a bit of 'The Big Chill' because of the soundtrack, but this film is so thoroughly entertaining.'It's About Time'! Eric Roberts got a good role to showcase his amazing talents. What an incredibly talented actor! Just see it!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a wonderful movie, August 18, 2001

By 

astreetwolf "astreetwolf" (Denmark) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's My Party [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I really can't see this twice because its just so sad. There were too many people in this movie, but the main characters truly were terrific in their roles. Eric Roberts is Nick Stark, an artist/architect and a proud gay man. He has been living with his lover(Gregory Harrison) Brandon for several years and they have been together for 8 years.Brandon is a tv/movie director and the two are the opposites of each other. When Nick finds out that he has been tested positive Brandon promises that he won't leave his side yet he is afraid of Nick now. Nick gets hurt when Brandon starts to pull away and finally they break up and Nick is hurt, whilst Brandon moves on with Zack..a young man. 1 year later Nick gets tested positive for PLM or...something meaning he has only a few days before his brain stops functioning properly so therefore he decides to end his life, but before doing so he wants to hold a party for his friends and family. This was truly a sad film to watch and it really sticks to your mind after youve seen it. I'm still thinking about it and I can't get over the fact that my favourite actor Gregory Harrison actually kissed another man...but they were both wonderful in this movie, but I didn't understand the way Nick was so calm about dying.