"The Rocker" Rocks Out a Good Time

In a season of big-budget blockbusters, overrated films, and highly anticipated movies, comes this low-key comedy that plays with a lot of heart...and a lot of laughs.

Rainn Wilson, best known for his role as paper-pushing suck-up Dwight Schrute on TV's The Office, tackles his first lead role, and does it with brio. He plays Robert "Fish" Fishman, the wild drummer for fictious '80s big-hair band Visuvious. The night after their big concert, the other three members (Bradley Cooper, SNL castmembers Will Arnett and Fred Armison) are given a decision to make: either drop Fish and rocket to stardom or keep him and stay playing local gigs. The bandmembers of course pick the former, which enrages Fish, and leads to a hilarious spoof of Halloween (well, actually Halloween 4, but who's keeping track). Now it's 20 years later and Fish is working as a telemarketer. His co-workers go nuts because Vesuvius has made a comeback and released a new album, in which Fish must swallow that large lump in his throat and try not to go ballistic. He does. Fish gets fired and then breaks up with his girlfriend (so she can't break up with him), then moves into his sister Lisa's (Jane Lynch) house. Her husband, Stan (Jeff Garlin), is a wannabe rocker and in a way looks up to Fish, although he's a little perturbed that his brother-in-law still isn't with Vesuvius so they can be living a sweeter life. They have two children, little, sarcastic Violet (Samantha Weinstein) and shy, teenage Matt (Josh Gad). Matt is keyboardist for a garage band called A.D.D., which also consists of bassist Amelia (Emma Stone) and lead singer/guitarist/songwriter Curtis (Teddy Geiger). They are playing at the the school prom, but their chances are nearly shot when their drummer gets grounded. Running out of options, with no credible replacement, they reluctantly hire Fish. At first Fish turns them down, but he too reluctantly accepts. Everything goes smooth, until towards the end, when Fish gets a little carried away. In order to stay in the band, Fish offers to get them gig. Pretty soon, they're on their way to the high life, when a jackass agent hires them and puts them on tour. Soon, they're getting wild, thanks to Fish's teachings of 80s touring. This leads the band to being supervised by Curtis' mom, Kim (Christina Applegate).

This is a typical small time-to-big time band movie. The movie is often funny and sometimes hilarious. The cast is great, especially Wilson, who's character you'd swear is related to Jack Black's Dewey from School of Rock. Fish is so likable, it makes the whole film work. The best thing about this film is that the high school characters actually act like high schoolers...something you don't see too often in the movies. It's a fun time, and fans of '80s big-hair bands will enjoy the subtle references. The Rocker will leave you rocking.

3 stars