"The Office's" Rainn Wilson shines in “The Rocker”
4:54 p.m. Friday, August 22, 2008
“The Rocker” tells the story of Robert “Fish” Fishman (Rainn Wilson), a drummer for a typical, ‘80s-era, big hair band named Vesuvius. He’s kicked out of the band just as they’re about to go on tour opening for White Snake. This sends Fishman into a depressing, tailspin spanning 20 years. He finds himself living in his sister’s house and sleeping on an air mattress, with no prospects for the future.
Fishman’s nephew Matt (Josh Gad) is a part of a band with his friends Curtis and Amelia (Teddy Geiger and Emma Stone) named A.D.D. The band falls upon hard times when its drummer is forced to leave following being expelled from school. This leaves A.D.D. without a vital piece to any band’s success, and they are scheduled to play the school prom in a few days. Without any answers the group decides to let Fish play drums just once. Wanting a chance to stay in the group, Fish is told he can stay and play drums for A.D.D. if he can book a gig for the band. He books the gig, and the band gets a new 40-year-old, never-grow-up drummer.
Suddenly the group’s success skyrockets thanks to a revealing YouTube video that makes them all famous. Now, Fish suddenly has his second chance at the big time. Never knowing when to take things easy, Fish begins to fall into the rock star partying life he once enjoyed while his much younger band mates look to adjust to their sudden fame.
“The Rocker” is a charming little movie that has elements of other films like “School of Rock” and “Almost Famous.” It’s one of those movies that are very entertaining and moves at a nice pace throughout, but it’s pure comedic escapism. I thought the film’s story became somewhat predictable, but it doesn’t take away from the fact you will have a good time with it.
Wilson is funny in his role, which is his first big screen lead role. Wilson is good as Dwight on “The Office,” and he shows his talent once again. The rest of the cast, which is also good, is led by the always likeable Christina Applegate, Jeff Garlin and Jayne Lynch, along with Howard Hesseman (Yes, Dr. Johnny Fever from WKRP), who drive the group’s tour bus. All in the cast are solid and make “The Rocker” actually much better and likeable than I had expected.
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