It’s a tried and true formula in comedy of having a celebratory event with friends and family ruined by one thing. After that, the entire evening unravels into chaos.
Sally Potter’s The Party presents a rather high brow version of this sort of movie with a flair for sharp, quotable dialogue offered up in pristine black and white instead of physical comedy set pieces one right after the other (as is usually the case in with parties gone awry). Also, a very robust cast including Patricia Clarkson, Emily Mortimer, Cillian Murphy, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Timothy Spall seem more than game for a darkly funny evening.
See for yourself in the trailer.