Dwight Schrute Rocks!

Rating: 7/10 (3 September 2008)

THE ROCKER (2008) **1/2 Rainn Wilson, Christina Applegate, Teddy Geiger, Josh Gad, Emma Stone, Jeff Garlin, Jane Lynch, Jason Sudeikis, Will Arnett, Howard Hesseman, Fred Armisen, Bradley Cooper, Jane Krakowski, Demetri Martin. Frequently funny comedy about a thisclose- to-stardom drummer from an '80s heavy metal hair band (Wilson in touch with his inner Jack Black) whose decades long angst finally gets its due when his high school aged nephew (Gad) enlists him in his struggling band which leads to a new opportunity to become a rock star. While Maya Forbes' and Wallace Wolardarsky's screenplay based on Ryan Jaffe's story is uneven to say the least, the film itself has its charms namely in its star's delusional courage and pluck to carry the weight of the unwieldy gimmick of a storyline which actually is sweet (i.e. chase your dreams by achieving your goals, an old chestnut sure, but it works with gumption here). Sudekis is a sublime riot as a Reuben Kincaid-like-manager. Look sharp for ex-Beatle drummer Pete Best in a blink-and-miss cameo at the film's beginning credits. (Dir: Peter Cattaneo)