Unexpectably enjoyable

Rating: 7/10 (21 September 2009)

'The Rocker' is a story of a middle-aged freak (Wilson) who once was in a rock band starting a career, but got back stabbed, and spent the last 20 years holding a grudge, unable to move on with his life. He's a true rocker in his heart and mind: he's got rock and roll in his blood, and it seems like it's the only thing he's able and willing to do. It's not until he looses his dead end job and moves in with his sister (Lynch) and her family that he discovers that his very own geeky nephew (Gad) is in a band himself, and needs a drummer. The movie delivers: there's just no other way to say it. It's funny from the very first minutes, it's not geeky, Rainn Wilson is extraordinary (as always), it features some classic lines, and it has a great cast. It's one of those rare movies that are actually funnier than their trailer, mostly thanks to Wilson, who is a genius. He's the kind of actor you know will go there: if the script asks for drumming butt naked, he'll strip before you finish the sentence. He gives 110% and it shows in his excellent performance; he makes the movie exceptionally believable. He makes you think he had been once a rocker for a famous rock band in deed. Josh Gad, starring as Matt, is pretty amazing. Somehow his talents go beyond his looks, and he becomes something more you'd take him for: he's not your typical fat geek from school. Emma Stone stars as the Shirley Manson-esquire, angry-at-everything keyboard player, but she manages not to be annoying. The cast also features some other great characters, starring Jane Lynch, Jason Sudeikis, Christina Applegate, not to mention Jane Krakowski, Bradley Cooper and Fred Armisen. The movie is not without flaws. Even though it's laughable, you get the feeling it could be funnier sometimes; it's also not as original as it could be. It's 'almost there': it manages to get you laugh, but deep in your mind, you know you've seen this before. That being said, it's a great movie: and what's rare, it's not a complete waste of time.