Limelight

Get Showtimes + Tickets

    
  • Opened September 23, 2011 
  • 1 hr 41 min
  • NR

  • As the owner of legendary hotspots like Limelight, Tunnel, Palladium, and Club USA, Peter Gatien was the undisputed king of the 1980s New York City club scene. The eye-patch-sporting Ontario native built and oversaw a Manhattan empire that counted tens of thousands of patrons per night in its peak years, acting as a conduit for a culture that, for many, defined the image of an era in New York. Then years of legal battles and police pressure spearheaded by Mayor Giuliani's determined crackdown on nightlife in the mid-'90s led to Gatien's eventual deportation to Canada, and the shuttering of his glitzy kingdom. Full synopsis

  • Director: Billy Corben
  • Genres: Documentary

What's the Buzz?

Must Go!
Fans say Must Go!
5 fans
Read fan reviews
So-so
Critics say So-So
57 out of 100
Read critic reviews
Write your own review

Fan Reviews

Must Go!
Fantastic!

by LaRosa

I loved it....

Must Go!
Such an interesting story

by patricknewton

Anyone interested in NYC night life in the late 80's early 90's will like this. Anyone interested in the story of Michael Alig will like it. Also check out the shockumentary called party monster (same...

Read more fan reviews

Critic Reviews

75
Miami Herald
| Rene Rodriguez

Depending on your age, Limelight could make you nostalgic for those bad old days - and sort of glad you'll never be able to relive them. Read full review

70
The New York Times
| Jeannette Catsoulis

As a trippy, trifling memorial to a time before its eponymous club was a mini-mall and rave culture a woozy memory, Limelight delivers the messed-up goods. Read full review

60
Village Voice
|

Given all this interesting raw material, it's mildly disappointing that the filmmakers tie it together with such cheesy connective tissue. Read full review

60
Time Out New York
| Keith Uhlich

This is still a fascinating history, especially when Limelight touches on the club scene's dark side: A lengthy dissection of the Angel Melendez murder, complete with an appearance by weathered-looking killer Michael Alig, chillingly shows how the out-all-night lifestyle can take its toll. Read full review

Read more critic reviews

Offers + More

Photos

Peter Gatien in "Limelight."