The Rocker (2008)

Director:

Peter Cattaneo

Writers (WGA):

Maya Forbes (screenplay) &
Wallace Wolodarsky (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

20 August 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Music

Tagline:

Opportunity rocks

Plot:

The Rocker tells the story of a failed drummer who is given a second chance at fame. Robert "Fish" Fishman...

Plot Keywords:

Drummer | Rock Star | Rock Band | Female Rocker | Music Video

US TV Schedule:

Fri. Jan. 8	1:45 PM	MAX
Thur. Jan. 14	5:00 PM	MAX
Tue. Jan. 19	10:00 PM	MAX

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Rainn Wilson	...	Robert 'Fish' Fishman
Christina Applegate	...	Kim
Teddy Geiger	...	Curtis
Josh Gad	...	Matt Gadman
Emma Stone	...	Amelia
Jeff Garlin	...	Stan
Jane Lynch	...	Lisa
Jason Sudeikis	...	David Marshall
Will Arnett	...	Lex
Howard Hesseman	...	Gator
Fred Armisen	...	Kerr
Bradley Cooper	...	Trash
Lonny Ross	...	Sticks
Jon Glaser	...	Billy
Jane Krakowski	...	Carol

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for drug and sexual references, nudity and language.

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Ireland:12A | UK:12A (cut) | Australia:M | USA:PG-13 (certificate #44092) | Singapore:PG | South Korea:12 | Peru:14 | Finland:K-11 | Argentina:13 | Netherlands:6 | Iceland:7 | Iceland:L (DVD rating) | Mexico:B | Brazil:12 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Cinespace Film Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

21 Laps Entertainment

Trivia:

Some of the scenes were filmed in Toronto, Canada (not actually Ohio). The Chinatown scene was filmed on Spadina street in Toronto's Asian district. One of the earliest club scenes when they exit the gig and into a back alley to a limo, was filmed in and outside an all ages club downtown called the Reverb.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Fish is helping Amelia with her hair, he holds up a bottle of product with the bar code facing Amelia. In the reverse shot, the bar code is facing Fish.

Quotes:

David Marshall: John Lennon is rolling over in his grave to hide the giant boner you just gave him!

Movie Connections:

References Rocky III (1982)

Soundtrack:

Great Escape

Hugely enjoyable.

1986 - Robert 'Fish' Fishman is the drummer of an up and coming rock band called Vesuvius. However, on the night they are offered a massive record deal, they are told there is a catch.... they have to sack the drummer. Twenty years later, Fish is still angry about that, but when offered the chance to play drums for his nephew's rock band at the Prom, he see this as a chance get to live the rock lifestyle he always wanted....

In many ways, The Rocker is a sequel to School Of Rock, in that you have the older band member, with much younger band members. The difference here though, is that they are all in their late teens. But even these similarities don't hide the fact that for it's running time, The Rocker is hugely enjoyable.

The cast, lead by Rainn Wilson are all good. Wilson as Fish gets to over the top as he lives out his dream, and while some of his antics are a bit childish at times, they are probably no worse that what actual bands get up to at times. The fact that the rest of the band, are normal teens makes Fish's antics even funnier.

As for the rest of the band members, yes you do have some clichéd characters. There is the sensitive lead singer/song-writer, the Indie- spirited girl, and the genius but shy keyboard player. Despite this however, each person develops as the movie progresses, even Fish and while some plot developments in the movie are very predictable, this doesn't detract from the enjoyment.

Peter Cattaneo, who also directed The Full Monty, keeps things moving along nicely. The script, while not a laugh out loud riot (for me anyway), did keep a smile on my face all the way through. The music in the movie is also well done. Not only in the choice of background music, but also the songs that the band have written themselves.

The Rocker will never be remembered as an all-time comedy classic. But for it's running time, it is very enjoyable, keeps you smiling and is very entertaining.