Wednesday, June 04, 2008

The Rocker

Tonight I screened The Rocker, starring Rainn Wilson and Christina Applegate.

Robert "Fish" Fishman (Wilson) is a washed-up ex-drummer from an 80s rock band living a mundane life when he snaps one day at work (over the-band-who-dumped-him's new album), gets fired, and breaks up with his girlfriend. As a result, he's forced to move in with his sister's family in Cleveland (in a house that magically overlooks the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum).

Coincidentally, his nerdy nephew is in a high school band and their drummer gets grounded at the last minute, leaving them without a drummer to play the upcoming prom (you see where this is going?)...so naturally, they take the 40-something uncle over all of the kids their own age who audition.

Fish gets his groove back after an invigorating (or excruciating) rendition of Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" and convinces the band to let him stay on full-time. They begin remote practicing via webcams and soon enough a YouTube leak leads them to astronomical manufactured fame.

Kind of silly? Sure. But hilarious too.

Christina Applegate plays the leads singer's hot mom who warms up to Fish after joining the band on tour and a tender side story stays less-than-cheesy enough to remain pleasant.

I actually had a really good time at this film—and the supporting characters of familiar faces (Will Arnett, Fred Armisen, etc.) were a welcome icing on the comedic cake.

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