It's My Party (1996)

Nick "Eric Roberts", is nearing the end of a 3-year battle with AIDS and makes arrangements to die. He hosts a party to say goodbye to friends and family. His ex-partner, Brandon "Gregory Harrison", attends and things get complicated.

Director:

Randal Kleiser

Writer:

Randal Kleiser

Stars:

Eric Roberts, Gregory Harrison, Margaret Cho

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Margaret Cho	...	Charlene Lee
Bruce Davison	...	Rodney Bingham
Lee Grant	...	Amalia Stark
Devon Gummersall	...	Andrew Bingham
Gregory Harrison	...	Brandon Theis
Marlee Matlin	...	Daphne Stark
Roddy McDowall	...	Damian Knowles
Olivia Newton-John	...	Lina Bingham
Bronson Pinchot	...	Monty Tipton
Paul Regina	...	Tony Zamara
Eric Roberts	...	Nick Stark
George Segal	...	Paul Stark
Steve Antin	...	Zack Phillips
Dimitra Arliss	...	Fanny Kondos
Christopher Atkins	...	Jack Allen

Storyline

"You won't leave me, will you?" Nick asks Brandon shortly after revealing to him the results of his last blood test for HIV. "I don't want to die alone." In spite of Brandon's protestations, the two soon find the love they had shared for many years in ruins. One year after their breakup, Nick is confronted with a ravaged immune system and a CT Scan and lab values which, along with his worsening forgetfulness, clenches the diagnosis of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) -- a condition he has seen claim his friends and one which he vows will not take him. Due to the aggressive nature of the disease, he has only a few days of conscious life remaining. His plan, he announces to family and "extended family," is to voluntarily end his life himself before the disease renders him unrecognizable to those he loves and he, in turn, is unable to recognize them. Uninvited to the farewell party, Brandon's presence is greeted with jeers from those who see him as having abandoned Nick ...

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Plot Keywords:

suicide | gay lead character | aids | homosexual | ex boyfriend ex boyfriend relationship | 

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Taglines:

A gathering of friends. A gift of love. A celebration of life.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and brief nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

As there was only a small budget for this movie, cast and crew members made use of their own things to meet the story's needs. Randal Kleiser used his house and pool for the scenes set in Brandon's home. Eric Roberts provided his own white horse to ride in flashback scenes. Lee Grant used a favorite coin ring for Amalia's gift from Nick. Sally Kellerman brought her own dog, and so on.

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Goofs

When we hear Brandon say "He's so close to your mom", it's clear that his lips say "He's so close to your dad."

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Quotes

Nick: You look like you caught your balls in your zipper, Dr. Dave.

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Connections

Featured in Olivia Newton-John and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra: Live at the Sydney Opera House (2007)

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Soundtracks

Unforgettable Fire
Written by Marty Irwin, Jon C. Jackson and Arlene Matza
Performed by Darrel Black

User Reviews

Great Movie, One of the saddest ones ever!

It's My Party is truly one of the best movies I've ever seen. The two main actors were amazingly believable as gay men and the supporting cast was good too. It will make you understand how important life is and how important friends and family are. If you like sit-down movies, this one is for you. I cried for about 3/4 of it.

Details

Official Sites:

MGM/UA Lion's Den

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 March 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

It's My Party

Filming Locations:

June Mountain, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$148,532, 24 March 1996

Gross USA:

$622,503

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$622,503

Company Credits

Production Co:

Opala Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1