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"The Rocker" works on its own merits and makes you forget its flaws. Chief of these is Rainn Wilson, who is a gifted comic actor, is miscast in the title role. We are asked to believe the skinny, nerdy Wilson is a 1980s heavy-metal drummer. Let’s face it, he looks like that about as much as he looks like an NFL linebacker. But, to his credit, he pulls it off.
He does so by doing what Jerry Lewis did: He goes for it. Wilson gives what I think is one of the best comedic performances of the year, despite the uphill battle.
The movie doesn’t fare quite as well, though it is likeable in a Disney sort of way.
Wilson plays Robert "Fish" Fishman, drummer for hair metal band Vesuvius. When Vesuvius gets a shot at the big time, it comes with a catch: Lose Fishman. Reluctantly, they give in, making Fish the Pete Best of hair metal. Fast forward 20 years. After getting fired from his umpteenth job, Fish moves in with his sister and ends up playing drums for his nephew’s band. A fluke propels them to national prominence and Fish gets another shot.
I shudder to think what this could have been with someone more believable in the role. After seeing John C. Reilly in "Step Brothers," he would have been perfect. Reilly played a rock star in "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" and has the right look, build and age for the role.
Wilson isn’t everybody’s cup of tea and up until "The Rocker" he really wasn’t mine. But he won me over with his committed goofiness and a huge helping of heart.
The film, on the other hand, is a little contrived. Things happen just a tad too conveniently and even the music is a bit too slick. Teen heartthrob Teddy Geiger has a major role as Curtis and most of the songs are his.
It’s difficult to gauge just what the appeal will be: Screaming tweens ogling Geiger or late thirtysomethings longing for the halcyon days of spandex and hair gel.
I’m not sure about that answer, but it is an auspicious starring debut for Wilson and a fun movie.
The Rocker
PG-13
Two-and-a-half reels out of four
In area theaters Wednesday
Recommended Rental
Recount
Unrated
Available Tuesday
Normally I don’t review TV movies, but this HBO docudrama was too well-received.
Based on the infamous 2000 presidential election, "Recount" takes a darkly comic look behind the scenes as the world looked on, both enthralled and puzzled.
Actors playing George W. Bush and Al Gore appear briefly, but the movie belongs to the behind-the-scenes players and the brilliant actors portraying them. Kevin Spacey, Tom Wilkinson, Bob Balaban, Denis Leary and Laura Dern all received Emmy nominations, which will be broadcast Sept. 21.
