Jerry Ferrara, best known for his role as “Turtle” in HBO’s Entourage, is back as another party-loving, girl-chasing dude in the drama Club Life. Ferrara takes the lead as “Johnny D” in this high-energy film; as a limo driver turned club promoter, his desire to make money to support his struggling family relies on his presence in the ever-growing Manhattan club scene. His relationships suffer as he becomes more entrenched in the nightlife, and he is faced with the realization that “club life” isn’t all that glamorous, forcing him to make some tough, life-changing decisions.
For fans of The Wolf of Wall Street‘s Jordan Belfort’s climb to the top of the social ladder, Club Life has the same underdog perseverance. Inspired by true events, Johnny D’s story starts in New York City, 2008. While driving a client around in his limo, he gets a phone call about his father’s sudden stroke. Barely getting by as it is, Johnny is forced to make some major cash and fast. While out at a club with his girlfriend Tanya (Jessica Szohr), he suddenly finds a mentor in club promoter Mark (Danny A. Abeckaser) and begins working side by side with him. And “working” means Johnny D is now responsible for bringing hot girls to the club, which can earn him up to $3,000 a night.
For fans of The Wolf of Wall Street‘s Jordan Belfort’s climb to the top of the social ladder, Club Life has the same underdog perseverance.
From that point, it’s easy to see where the film is going, and its conventional plot doesn’t make for much of a surprise. For someone who is personally not “all about the club life,” the film’s tone can be rather laughable at times. Director Fabrizio Conte gives the impression that running a club is on par with competing in the Olympics, and while I don’t doubt the realistic stresses of that kind of job, I rolled my eyes when Mark tells Johnny D, with true non-sarcasm, that bringing pretty girls to the club is not just a job, but a cultural movement.
While Conte’s directorial debut is thematically hard to digest, it’s worth noting that the performances really make the film watchable. Ferrara turns to his former Entourage swagger to give Johnny D the lovable wiseguy personality. As his girlfriend, Szhor’s brief appearance in the film stands out and left me wishing she had more screen time. Abeckaser, who also co-wrote the film, plays Mark with the perfect balance of scummy nightclub lord and sweet-talking debonair, making his character my favorite to watch.
If bottle service and dirty dancing are your things, then you will probably enjoy this movie. At the end of the film, the credits roll next to a slideshow of New York City Night Life Legends, reminding the audience once again that this is based on a true story and people like Mark and Johnny D actually exist.
Club Life opens in theaters on May 29th, and on iTunes and VOD May 26th.
