TheKnockturnal was invited to a special Los Angeles screening of “Clublife” at Arclight Hollywood. A fun party followed at 1OAK.
Club Life explores the life of a New York City club promoter Danny A. Abeckaser who introduces his former limo driver Johnny D to the partying lifestyle. Taking place in 2008, the film offers a flashback into the days before millennials became technology and social media obsessed.
In the beginning of the film Johnny D (Jerry Ferrara) gets a call that his father had a damaging stroke. Going in and out of consciousness and hooked up to a ventilator, the chances of recovery are very slim. However, his devastated mom and sister rely on him to stay strong and he takes on the burden of paying for expensive medical treatment.
When Mark (Abeckaser) offers a large sum to bring hot women to a club in order for patrons to spend more, Ferrara hesitantly agrees and then eventually becomes addicted to the fast cash. He becomes indulged in the lifestyle of models and drugs, which makes him distant from family and his girlfriend (Jessica Szohr). Ultimately, his father dies, which drives Johnny to take control of his life. As his successful parties give him more weight, he decides to abandon Mark and venture out on his own, causing competition. By the end of the movie, Johnny D transforms himself from a poor Brooklyn limo driver to one of the hottest promoters in the New York club scene. While simple, the movie was quite entertaining. The storyline could have been expanded more to see better character development. Inspired by true events, the film is co-written by Ryan O’Nan, Ryan Vallan and Danny Abeckaser. It was directed by Fabrizio Conte.
-Robin Green
