I'm not sure what the point of this film was other than to point out the decadence and stupidity of some people in the early 1980s. 54 is a drama based on facts. There was such a club. This decadent lifestyle of dancing, snorting cocaine, and anonymous sex did occur.

When watching 54 one is reminded of Boogie Nights. It's the same era, and almost the same story of the innocent young man corrupted by a seedy environment. The message of the film seems to be that if you want to get ahead in life, you have to be scum.