funny quirky concept

Rating: 7/10 (7 February 2015)

Jon Burroughs (Domhnall Gleeson) is a weird guy trying to be a songwriter but doing horribly. A band is suddenly without their keyboardist when he tries to drown himself in the sea. Jon offers to play in the band where the lead is Frank (Michael Fassbender) in a giant head which he never takes off. Frank invites Jon to join them but it turns out to be a much longer stay than he expected as they try to record an album. It seems like only Don (Scoot McNairy) in the band likes the kid. Clara (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is downright hostile to him.
I love the bit where Frank says his facial expression out loud. It's infinitely charming and funny every time he does it. It has a nice light wackiness about the movie. Domhnall Gleeson is terrific. Fassbender is surprisingly expressive without his face. Gyllenhaal is also very solid. However the movie loses a bit of steam after Frank loses his head. Some of the magic seems to dissipate. It still is charming and touching in the end.