Studio 54: The Documentary Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Studio 54: The Documentary Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 26, 2019

There have been several documentaries about the rise and fall of Studio 54. There was even a 1998 film about the club that was pushed as the big movie of the summer, only to bomb when it opened, effectively destroying a comeback for the Studio 54 aesthetic. What most productions concerning the discotheque have in common is a great curiosity about its co-owner, Steve Rubell, zeroing in on his eccentricities and sexual appetites, embracing his reputation for showmanship at the hottest establishment of the 1970s. But there was another man shaping the madness. Ian Schrager is the often ignored figure behind the club, partnering with Rubell to bring New York City’s private nightlife to the masses. Director Matt Tyrnauer seizes a chance to approach the well-worn subject from a fresh angle, making his “Studio 54” as Schrager-centric as possible, using the run time to introduce the other half of the magic duo to pop culture consciousness.

Schrager is a private man, often identified as an introvert in “Studio 54,” making his lack of contributions to the club’s media legacy understandable, often retreating to the comfort of an office while Rubell was out in the wild, openly reflecting on their iconic business venture, which burned bright for 33 months before ending. Tyrnauer (“Valentino: The Last Emperor”) brings Schrager into the light, sitting him in front of a camera to examine his perspective on Studio 54, hoping to acquire more of the truth behind the legend. Schrager seems willing to cover most topics, and to help jog his memory, Tyrnauer brings the boss back to the scene of the crime, returning to the theater that housed the nightclub, which was once the site of a CBS studio. Schrager walks around the property, sharing anecdotes and expressing amazement, and his physical placement in the building gives “Studio 54” an eyewitness feel, helping the documentary to achieve a fresh sense of reflection, effectively reinstating the co-owner’s place as a key figure in the history of Studio 54, reinforcing his business role, while Rubell, and his publicity-loving personality, became the face of the club.

This shift in POV is interesting enough to launch “Studio 54,” but it’s difficult to shake the growing realization that Tyrnauer is slowly making a hagiography about Schrager, who’s working to reclaim his reputation after the downfall of the club, newly empowered to sell a few books about his career and clean up his history, possibly trading tales for the helmer’s focus, and while Schrager’s contributions are fascinating, there’s something strange going on in the film, with a little too much attention on the subject’s restoration of respectability.

Thankfully, there’s more than just Schrager to fill out a portrait of the club’s heyday, with publicists, doormen, and stylists interviewed about their time inside Studio 54, giving the first half of the documentary a rush of stories concerning the immediate triumph of the discotheque, sharing anecdotes and eyewitness accounts about celebrity interactions, business dealings, and even special codes used to help weed out unattractive people, keeping them out in the cold while the pretty ones danced the night away. Familiar tales of debauchery are presented, along with amazement over the instant explosion of popularity, making Studio 54 practically the only club in NYC for a short amount of time. Of more interest is an examination of construction to help revive the original building, with professional designers brought in to give the space Broadway theatricality, and there’s a constant reinforcement of inclusiveness, with Rubell and Schrager bringing the gay club experience to all, creating a safe haven for sexuality and identity.

Studio 54: The Documentary Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation offering a wide range of film, video, and photo sources, and the viewing experience isn't disrupted by the flow of information, even with the poor quality of some news reports. Detail is exceptional on interviewees, with close-ups bringing out distinct facial surfaces and fine hairs, clarifying aging and, for some, a complete resistance to aging through surgical means. Clothing is fibrous, with touchable textures that range from casual wear to more refined fashion. City visits retain ideal dimension, along with club visits, preserving the enormity of the buildings. Colors are lush, with certain outfits finding their desired display of explosive hues. Photographs also maintain a rich sense of costuming and club lighting. Delineation is acceptable. Some mild artifacting is detected along the way, often behind interviewees, with backgrounds growing blocky.

Studio 54: The Documentary Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix delivers a compelling listening event without paying much attention to surround activity. Soundtrack selections offer the most power, trying to recreate club environments with thumpy disco music, creating a circular sensation of partying. Interview audio is ideally defined, capturing colder conversations about the subject and some subtle emotion about Studio 54's aftermath. Scoring is supportive, handing mood transitions well.

Studio 54: The Documentary Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (1:46, HD) is included.

Studio 54: The Documentary Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Studio 54" delivers the essentials in photographic evidence and interviews, but the blazing energy of the club is only a small part of the documentary, with Tyrnauer moving past the glory years to extensively track the downfall of Rubell and Schrager, who were caught in a "skim scam" and prosecuted for tax evasion, spending time in prison for their crimes. The movie presents a Red Yarn ride of toxic connections that touch on many people, even working its way to the White House and the mafia, eventually landing in the 1980s, where "discophobia" and AIDS decimated the glittery, cocaine- dusted dream. The feature ends up easily distracted, and perhaps audiences expecting a simple study of the club's domination will be disappointed with this narrative direction, becoming more about legal fights and lost dignity than Liza Minnelli dry humping Sherman Hemsley on the dance floor. "Studio 54" is uneven but it's not dull, and while its ultimate mission to make a hero out of Schrager is a bit sketchy, the basics of discotheque oddity and nightlife magnitude are fascinating.