based on 74 reviews (55 negative, 21 positive); the consensus states "The lurid display of camp soon turns tedious." It was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival
, however, and Chicago Sun-Times
critic Roger Ebert
gave the film three out of four stars, calling Culkin's performance "fearless", though he remarks that "the movie lacks insight and leaves us feeling sad and empty — sad for ourselves, not Alig — and maybe it had to be that way".
The film was only given a limited release
.
Typical James, tired old drug addict. Can't even stay awake for your own movie!
I wanted to create my own world. A world full of color where everyone could play. One big party that never ends.
You'll love me. I promise.
We'll put James in a cage and hang a sign over it that says, "Do not feed the drug child!"
The road of excess leads to the palace of... fabulousness!
Oh please, party in the truck!
I won't do crack without heroin!
But it's my birthday and I want a bloodfeast!
That's not a crack hole, that's a rat hole. Rats on crack attack!
You're just some lame-ass, Johnny-come-lately, fairy, faggot, copycat! You don't even know your skrink from your skrod! You stupid logger blogger!