Macaulay Culkin’s comeback is one long party.

Party Monster details the truelife highs and lows of an eclectic, flamboyant group of geeks who ruled New York's club scene in the early 90s. Michael Alig (Culkin), their self-appointed leader, would do anything to be the centre of attention, even kill - he’s currently serving a life sentence for caving in the head of his drug dealer, injecting him with bleach and dumping him in the river. Before bragging about it on TV.

But is Culkin believable as a party monster? He and co-star Seth Green (who plays Alig sidekick James St James) look more like extras in The Wizard Of Oz than cool cats strolling through New York in customised clothes and make-up. Even more numbingly ridiculous are the lengths that Culkin and Green go to avoid the “club kid” tag themselves.

“I’ve had very limited club experience,” says Green. “It was really just about jumping in the pool at the deep end, there were so many things that I was unaware of and inexperienced about. I got a crash course in the lifestyle, but I almost had two years to prepare for the role.”

That’s an awful long time to avoid getting experienced, Mr Green. But just before I can yawn, Culkin jumps in. “You know what, I’ve never been a big partier, contrary to popular belief. I’ve got this reputation for being this party kind of person, and I think that’s because when I took all that time off I did not have a publicist or whatever. I did not care because it was not me.” So much imaginary sex, drugs and rock‘n’roll is surely not good for the health.

Surely something in their past would highlight a clubbing pedigree. Again they disappoint. Green says, “There’s nothing that I could look at and say, that’s so James. I’ve led a much more simple life.” Then Culkin weighs in with, “I’d never been to a nightclub until I was 20 years old. According to the press I’d been clubbing since I was 14. I go to clubs every once in a while, but it’s not really my lifestyle.”

So, you heard it here first. These two are more like party Munchkins than monsters. Kaleem Aftab 17 October 03

Party Monster, on selected release 17 October 03.

useful link: www.partymonster.com