My introduction to Jordan Firstman was in Rachel Sennott’s I Love LA, where he plays the unapologetically gay Charlie, a Hollywood stylist. I was impressed by his turn as a man looking for a connection in a city built on performance. He brought immense sincerity and empathy to a chaotic character. With his directorial feature debut, Club Kid, I was therefore unsure what to expect, other than it would be an unapologetically gay film. What I got was a dazzling feature directorial debut that’s surprisingly sincere and an empathetic coming-of-age story about second chances and new beginnings.
Peter (Firstman) is a washed-up underground party promoter whose life has become a neverending blur of drugs, sex, and sleep. But one day his life is turned upside down when a woman shows up at his apartment with his son, Arlo (Reggie Absolom), that he never knew he had. Now facing real responsibilities as Arlo’s mother recently passed away, Peter must take care of his son while also navigating his own struggles with addiction, sobriety, and being the best parent he can.
Firstman has a lot on his plate for his directorial debut. Not only does he direct Club Kid, but he also wrote it and plays the lead. Juggling so many roles can be too much to handle for a newcomer, yet Firstman handles all of them with incredible grace. Much of that success comes from Peter’s character arc. Our introduction to him is in a drug and sex fuelled haze as we watch him wake up late in the afternoon and party until morning, high on cocaine, ketamine, and whomever just sucked his dick. He is by all means living up to the deadly sins of lust, sloth, and envy. We are disgusted by his character just as much as he is repulsed by himself.
However, when Arlo is introduced, we immediately notice a change in Peter. He is quickly aware that he is unfit to be a parent due to his lifestyle and substance abuse issues. But when he realizes that Arlo is here to stay, he is caught in a terrible crossroad. Does he drop Arlo off at the nearest orphanage? Does he send him back to the U.K. where his family subjected him to emotional and physical abuse? Or does Peter sober up and try to become the best parent that he can for his child? Thankfully, Peter chooses the latter. What follows is a beautifully sincere coming-of-age dramedy about second chances and redemption.
The key to Club Kid’s success is the relationship between Peter and his son, Arlo. Both of them have not had an easy life. So you would assume they would bring out the worst of each other. Instead, they bring the best out of each other. They both try to be a better person. Peter starts getting clean and he enrols Arlo in school, takes him to the doctor, and has him see a therapist. Arlo shows his passion for music to Peter and together they bond over it as the boy processes his abuse. This love of music causes Peter to help Arlo start DJing at clubs. Whether the father-son duo realizes it or not, they are both improving themselves on behalf of the other person. And when shit starts hitting the fan, instead of taking the safer route, Club Kid goes in a mature and emotionally resonant direction.
Firstman shows incredible confidence behind the camera with this debut. He captures all of the club scenes on location in NYC with 35 mm film in the same manner that Sean Baker would depict a strip club.Club Kid is honest, empathetic, and sincere as we plunge into the underground nightclubs of the queer community in NYC through Peter’s eyes. When Peter is high, we feel that in every texture of the frame. When he is panicking over Arlo, we feel that concern in the frantic edit. And when he is having a close moment with his son, we feel the tenderness and warmth between this unlikely duo.
Overall, Club Kid is one of the best films to come out of Cannes so far this year. Featuring a career best performance from Firstman and a phenomenal debut from Reggie Absolom, it is hard not to love Club Kid. It is a crowd-pleasing rave that will sure to make you smile and maybe shed a tear as it shows the beautiful power of found family and the steps we take to improve ourselves for others.
