By: debbie lynn elias
Set in 1985, “Rock Star” is loosely based on the tale of Ohio office supply salesman Tim “Ripper” Owens, lead singer in a tribute band, who replaced Rob Halford as lead singer in the legendary heavy metal band, Judas Priest. Produced by George Clooney, directed by Stephen Herek who is best known for Disney classics, “101 Dalmations”, “The Three Musketeers” and “the Mighty Ducks”, not to mention “Mr. Holland’s Opus”, and written by John Stockwell, “Rock Star” is the tale of a wannabe who gets to be.
Mark Wahlberg is perfectly cast as Chris “Izzy” Coles, copy machine technician and choir boy by day and lead singer to heavy metal tribute band, Blood Pollution, by night. Surrounded by loving parents (who just happen to be huge heavy metal fans – mom runs the t-shirt concession at concerts), a very insecure pain-in-the-ass cop brother, and a beautiful girlfriend/manager Emily played by Jennifer Aniston, we get a glimpse of a very grounded, hardworking, dedicated young man, who shows us that behind the long hair, leather and mascara, there exists a decent human being. Chris’ one shortcoming, however, is his fanaticism and obsession with the band Steel Dragon and its lead singer Bobby Beers. Nitpicking vocal authenticity and detailing right down to the interwoven threads of green embroidery on his leather tour jacket identical to the one worn on stage by Beers, as well as complaints to fellow Pollutioner guitarist that “You’re not nailing the squeal” during a key Steel Dragon number, Chris ends up alienating his bandmates, getting himself kicked out of Blood Pollution. But, the joke’s on them as thanks to some Blood Pollution groupies, Chris catches the eye of Steel Dragon who are looking for a new lead singer to replace Beers.
Needless to say, Steel Dragon is so bowled over by Chris and his vocal talent that they hire him as their new frontman (who looks exactly like the old one), not only giving him a shot at stardom, but also the chance to experience to the fullest the excesses of rock and roll complete with sex, drugs, fast women, fast cars and trashed hotel rooms. Despite his determination to have Emily by his side, such is not to be as Emily is banished from the tour bus under the “no wives are allowed rule” and forced to ride in a limousine trailing along with the other wives who try to justify their rock star husbands’ conduct with “at the end of the day, they still come home to us.” After waking up from a post-show private party which culminated in a drug and alcohol induced orgy, Chris and Emily start to realize the price tag that may be attached to fame. And of course, the higher they climb, the harder they fall.
Although Emily decides to go to Seattle to open a business (a coffee shop a-la-“Friends” of all things!), she insists she’s not leaving Chris but just leaving “this.” Once gone, however, their contact ends and Chris descends faster and further into rock and roll hell. But this film is not about the evils of rock and roll, it’s about making a journey and finding out who you are and then being true to yourself. Will Chris find answers before it’s too late or will he become a 50 year old heavy metal burnout? Watch and see.
Stockwell’s at times jagged script doesn’t do justice to the actors’ performances. Timothy Spall as Steel Dragon’s manager is as good as it gets. Like a true manager, whether sober or stoned, he sees the dirt, knows the dirt and does his best to keep his boys and their wives out of the way of harm and each other for the sake of the almighty dollar. Rachel Hunter, ex-wife of rock icon Rod Stewart, plays nicely as one of the Steel Dragon wives. Aniston breaks out of her Rachel Green stereotype in a role that exudes confidence, intelligence, commitment and devotion, while delivering snappy one-liners with the ease of Don Rickles. But it is Wahlberg who finally hits his mark as a true Hollywood star, creating a multi-dimensional character with a basic purity, unbridled joy and an energy that just explodes. His performance as Chris “Izzy” Coles on stage is riveting.
And of course, what would a film called “Rock Star” be without music. Capping off a not-to-be-missed soundtrack, real-life heavy metal musicians, among them, Jason Bonham, Jeff Pilson and Zakk Wylde, add credibility to the film as they take to the stage as members of the Steel Dragon band. But the real reason to see this movie – a cameo by the original television series Batmobile!
