Party Animals (2007) User Reviews

Contemporary British drama at its best

[joanna-knox · 9/10 · 28 November 2010]

I LOVE this series. Intelligent script and storyline, great acting, attractive characters - this is contemporary British drama (aiming at the younger crowd but appealing to a wider audience) at its best. Loved 'This Life' (years ago by the same people) but this tops it. A great (but fictional) insight into life at Westminster.

It's a shame series 2 was never made (as it was clearly setup to be), but the poor ratings in addition to Matt Smith becoming the newest Dr Who couldn't have helped.

If you like quality English productions - this is for you. Buy the DVD - worth watching twice.

I think I might go and re-watch 'This Life' now.

"This Life" in politics

[ennor · 2 December 2008]

This series is made for the 20 & 30 somethings out there who like their stories to be laced with a little sex, deception, politics (which often = sex + deception), nice bodies, fresh faces, bars, booze, and some dabbling in illicit substances. Now, my 20, 30-something days are far behind me, but I love this show, even only having seen the first episode.

Like "This Life" of 15 or so years ago did for the law profession, 'Party Animals' gets inside the lives of a handful of (mostly quite young) researchers and would-be lobbyists attached to Westminster in London. The behind-the-scenes goings on seem hard to believe, but believe it you must. This is just a tiny window into the workings of the British political system, like hiding backstage to see what goes on behind the scenes. So much responsibility seems to be in the hands of the very young, most of whom have to unwind with alcohol, drugs and sex, and of course this frequently adds further complication to already complicated lives.

The cast are attractive, and all more than competent in their respective roles. The script is quick and sharp, and altogether this series is worth a look.

Hidden gem

[robertemerald · 10/10 · 21 March 2020]

What struck me as dynamic and endearing after watching the entire season of Party Animals was just how believable the writers had made the characters, and in particular, young lovers. The casting was so good that one could argue that for all the main players this show represents seminal roles. I was really disappointed to find there isn't a season two, but then again, the stark reality, even brutality, of the world of behind-the-scenes politics is so brilliantly realised here that perhaps there is a message in that. I first noticed this dvd at a local op shop and recognised some of the actors from the cover, but didn't actually buy it until weeks later as I thought I wouldn't enjoy something BBC from well over a decade ago. Then the op shop had a half price everything day and thus I had nothing to lose. I've been enthralled from the first episode to the last. This is top shelf British drama. At its heart is a story of two brothers which is truly authentic. Admittedly it is designed to appeal to 20-somethings, but the script is sharp and intelligent and the story throws a new curve ball with every episode. Surely it is an accurate snapshot of mid-naughties Britain, and is beautifully filmed and produced. I can't see why it shouldn't appeal to anyone that enjoys quality drama.

Wonderful!

[archieriver · 10/10 · 8 June 2020]

I absolutely love this. I found it by chance when I was looking up things that my favorite actor(Matt Smith) have been in. I wish it would have lasted longer, but if it did then he wouldn't have been the doctor and I wouldn't have known he was he was in the first place to even look this up but I finally found it on DVD and I am so excited. I wish they would bring it back.