Rather than give a straightforward narrative, the film instead is very freeform in its plot delivery, with events happening on a whim rather than having a direct cause and effect. The film manages to capture the feeling of the night life scene very well, as shown through the cinematography, which steadily gets shakier as the film goes on. Regarding the sound design, PARTY HARD reminded me a little bit of Fight Club by keeping the background noise almost as loud as the character dialogue. While this can be seen as a risky move, as the dialogue can sound muffled, in PARTY HARD's case, it adds a sense of realism while still keeping the dialogue audible.

One of the most creative aspects of the film was the music. Most if not all of the soundtrack was composed of original scores. This is especially impressive considering the quality of the songs, such as the aptly-named title song PARTY HARD. If I didn't know the song was an original song, I would've almost thought it was from Kendrick Lamar! Both Miles Kendrick and Ty Rowe have serious talent and singing ability and I wish to see more of their work in the future!

PARTY HARD was made on a budget of $6,000 and shot over the course of two and a half weeks. Director William Nicholas Clay and cinematographer Stephen T. Canada wanted to create a film that was a hangout film set in their hometown. Previously, the two worked on various short films and music videos, with PARTY HARD being their first feature film. Upon looking at the hectic bar-hopping scenes, I can see how both Clay and Canada's experience working on music videos came into play, turning something that would be considered mundane into a more dramatic activity.

Overall, PARTY HARD is a well-made film with a solid production and cast. It was made to be the ultimate 'hangout' movie and it is very successful in that endeavor. Despite its boisterous appearance consisting of loud bar music, crass language and disjointed storytelling, at the heart of the film lies a very solemn issue that plagues the hearts of many young folk today. While it may not have the production value of a bigger budget film such as Lost in Translation, it has similar feel and story beats to the iconic Academy Award winner. For anyone who suffers from guilt over their past, or just wants a heartfelt hangout film, this movie is worth checking out.

Chandler (Hunter Bolton) has left Columbia, South Carolina to move to Charleston, but he hasn't left his friendship with Jules (Brian Forbes) and Ty (Ty Rowe) behind nor his past mistakes, like Lauren (Giulia Marie Dalbec), the ex he can't get over. The only thing to do is go home, drink as much as possible and perhaps find new love with Lily (Amy Brower).

Directed by William Nicholas Clay and written by Stephen T. Canada, the majority of this movie takes place in bars along with plenty of opportunity to hear from local bands. Your willingness to enjoy this film will depend on how much you enjoy movies that are literally in your face -- the camera always feels way too close -- and how much you love bar hopping. Perhaps I'm too old, but it all feels rather loud and exhausting and the conversations that ensue never feel meaningful. I started having that feeling of ennui as this film reached the halfway point, like I wanted to make a quick exit and text people later that I wasn't feeling well when all I wanted to do was go home and drink my already paid for and therefore much cheaper liquor alone and away from the senseless din.

That said, this is a document in the time and life of a city and the people making it. And it was made for $6,000, so that's a testiment to their already burgeoning skill. Maybe they're not out for a night on the town that I want to be part of but I can't deny their abilities and I'd love to see what they plan on doing next.

I stumbled across this movie and it made me feel like I went out. It was so fun and entertaining. I can't believe they made this movie for such little money. It was refreshing and entertaining about a group of friends It almost felt like a documentary, or that I was a fly on the wall.