ROCK STAR (2001) 2 1/2 stars out of 4. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Jennifer Aniston, Jason Flemying, Timothy Olyphant, Timothy Spall, Dominic West, Jeff Pilson and Jason Bonham. Written by John Stockwell. Directed by Stephen Herek. Rated R. Rock Star is a heavy metal fairy tale that despite striking some discordant notes is overall enjoyable and likable.
Inspired by the true story of a singer in a tribute band who gets his chance to join and front a famous rock group, Rock Star features Mark Wahlberg as Chris Cole, lead singer for Blood Pollution, a Steel Dragon tribute band. Chris idolizes Steel Dragon's lead singer, Bobby Beers, and knows everything about the band, its history and members. For Chris, fronting Steel Dragon would be a dream come true.
After being thrown out of Blood Pollution, Chris receives a phone call that will fulfill his fantasy. Next thing he knows he and his girlfriend, Emily (Jennifer Aniston), have been jetted to L.A. After a brief audition, Chris is rechristened Izzy and is soon becoming the idol of millions.
Set in the mid-1980s, this rags-to-riches story has much to offer. Even if you don't like heavy metal music, you will find Rock Star an entertaining outing because while the music does play a major role in the proceedings, the story is more about Chris's/Izzy's introduction into the perks and pitfalls of stardom.
Chris begins his new life filled with wide-eyed innocence and enthusiasm. After all, he is now the embodiment, the cipher of those millions of anonymous youths who pay to see him perform and imagine themselves in his tight-leather pants.
As time passes, though, Chris learns the responsibilities of stardom are more than just wailing to an enthusiastic audience. The grueling pace of the road, the groupies, drugs, publicity shoots and all that the role encumbers soon begins to wear on the young man.
Despite growing jaded, Chris/Izzy never loses his passion for the music. It is only when Kirk (Dominic West), Steel Dragon's lead guitarist and spokesman, rejects Chris's song ideas that the young singer understands his limited role within the organization. Kirk explains to him that the band holds a specific niche in the music world and any deviation would destroy that toehold.
John Stockwell's script is surprisingly low on cynicism, which is refreshing considering all the fodder this particular territory could have afforded. And while the script does cast a jaundiced eye at the practices and machinations of the music industry, it is neither preachy nor judgmental.
Wahlberg offers a sincere, hard-working performance as Chris/Izzy. His transformation from obsessive fan to naive innocent to disillusionment is gradual and painful. Wahlberg does his own vocals, which were electronically enhanced, but that should not detract from his first-rate effort.
Aniston's role is a bit underwritten as the loyal girlfriend watching the corruption of her man, but unable to stem the tide.
A small, but memorable bit of acting is offered by Timothy Spall as Mats, Steel Dragon's longtime road manager, who counsels Chris on the wild lifestyle of rock stardom.
One of the film's best moments revolves around the confrontation between Bobby Beers (Jason Flemyng) and his former bandmates, which echo an earlier scene between Chris and his former group members.
Flemyng's short scene is touching and painful as he tells Chris of the realities and responsibilities of being a member of a top rock group.
One of the funnier moments is a parking lot confrontation between two Steel Dragon tribute bands, which leads to a war of words, costume critique and near fisticuffs.
Helping the enterprise is the casting of members of various heavy metal bands in pivotal roles. They include Zakk Wylde, lead guitarist for Black Label Society and Dokken guitarist Jeff Pilson.
If Rock Star, ably directed by Stephen Herek (Mr. Holland's Opus, 101 Dalmatians) has a drawback, it is it's anti-climatic ending.
Rock Star is a fast and loud fable, filled with colorful characters and ear-shattering music. It's a somewhat cautionary tale about wishes coming true and about how those desires may not measure up to expectations.
Bob Bloom is the film critic at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, IN. He can be reached by e-mail at bloom@journal-courier.com or at bobbloom@iquest.net. Other reviews by Bloom can be found by going to www.jconline.com and clicking on golafayette. Bloom's reviews also can be found on the Web at the Internet Movie Database: http://www.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Bob+Bloom
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