The Party

The Party is a 2017 British black comedy film written and directed by Sally Potter. The film was shot in black and white and features a seven-actor ensemble of Patricia Clarkson, Bruno Ganz, Cherry Jones, Emily Mortimer, Cillian Murphy, Kristin Scott Thomas and Timothy Spall. It was selected to compete for the Golden Bear in the main competition section of the 67th Berlin International Film Festival and was awarded the Guild Film Prize. The film received positive reviews from critics. Plot Janet, a politician for the opposition party, has just been announced as shadow minister for health and is having a small celebratory party at her house. Invited are her friends April; April's estranged German partner Gottfried, a life coach and self-proclaimed spiritual healer; women's studies professor Martha; her partner Jinny, a renowned chef; and Janet's colleague and subordinate Marianne with husband Tom, a handsome younger banker. Before the party begins and after the guests arrive, Janet's husband Bill slumps in his chair listening to jazz, staring vacantly, and drinking several glasses of wine. All invited guests arrive with the exception of Marianne, who Tom says vaguely will arrive later. Tom is visibly agitated and immediately locks himself in the bathroom, where he cuts and snorts cocaine, examines a handgun he has brought with him and nervously eggs himself on in the bathroom mirror.