Good story, imperfectly done, but very entertaining.

Rating: Null/10 (15 February 2002)

SPOILERS - Even though not great, by any measure, we enjoyed this film very much, Wahlberg and Anniston giving very nice performances. It's median rating of "7" is about right. Walhberg is a copier repairman in Pittsburgh, but also lead singer for a "tribute" band copying the Steel Dragons. Meanwhile the "Dragons" are firing their lead singer, get wind of Wahlberg, audition him, and hire him as he takes the name "Izzy." Reportedly this closely parallels what had happened to a real rock band in the 80s.

The film is about Izzy's transformation. He goes from frustrated "tribute" singer only wanting to copy his heros, to the lead singer and hero himself, to wanting to write his own songs, to quitting when he realizes his direction is wrong. And the band leaders will not let him participate in writing.
During his months with the Steel Dragons he becomes a person even he doesn't like, loses his girlfriend, Anniston, stays stoned most of the time, participates in meaningless sex. After he quits, they meet up and presumably resume their love relationship. The transformation complete.
It's a good story which has a moral and ends well. The music, and DVD soundtrack, are good throughout. Although Wahlberg does some of his own singing, a better singer "assists" and at critical times the sound track transitions seamlessly from one to the other, so that it really looks like Wahlberg is doing all his own singing. Good production, nicely entertaining, some nudity and blue language.