It's All Gone Pete Tong

A charismatically raucous and rhythmic fictional biopic about the drug-and-music-fueled career of a superstar DJ, It's All Gone Pete Tong is a darkly jovial, surprisingly emotive, energetic blitz of a film about the lifestyles of the decadent and party-hardy set. In particular, the film follows Frankie Wilde (played with frazzled, hyperactive charisma by Paul Kaye) on a descent into a strung-out, hell-on-wheels, falling-off-the-wagon self-pity after going stone deaf--and thereby losing his livelihood along with his only real talent--being a DJ. Layered with irreverent humor and blessed with savvy cinematography, editing, and sound design that provide a view of Wilde's ups and downs from both outside and inside his head, the film pulsates with a contagious, carefree, colorful rave-like beat as a revelation brings its antihero roaring back to prominence (and ironically) freedom-crippling celebrity. As in far too many biopics about artists, writer-director Michael Dowse's film doesn't explore Wilde's work, and because it successfully passes itself off as nonfiction (I was fooled until I did some serious Internet homework, looking beyond the faux websites devoted to Wilde), this feels like a bit of a shortcoming--but it's certainly not enough to ruin the loose-cannon fun. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include a 41-minute “making-of” documentary, the three featurettes “Frankie Wilde: The Rise,” “Frankie Wilde: The Fall,” and “Frankie Wilde: The Redemption” (20 min. total), and trailers. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a fun film.] (R. Blackwelder)