Rainn Wilson in fine comic groove as “Rocker”
Hollywood Newsroom is now Buzz Newsroom! Visit and bookmark our new site. Buzz is bigger and better, including sports, world news, gadgets and the entertainment news that you're used to. Same staff, just more stuff! Why Fark, Drudge and Huffington when you can Buzz!?The off-kilter comic rhythms of Rainn Wilson are exploited to excellent effect in “The Rocker,” a derivative rock satire that is far more enjoyable than one would have a right to expect.
This tale of a middle-aged drummer getting a second chance at stardom overcomes its essential familiarity thanks to a frequently witty script, grounded direction (by Peter Cattaneo, of “Full Monty” fame) and an engaging turn by its star that proves him more than capable of carrying a comedy feature.
The movie opens August 20 via 20th Century Fox.
The title character is Robert “Fish” Fishman, who was unceremoniously dumped by his big-haired ’80s heavy metal band Vesuvius (hilariously embodied by Will Arnett, Fred Armisen and Bradley Cooper) just as they were on the verge of hitting the big time. Twenty years later, he’s reduced to living with his sister and her family. But the still-passionate rocker finds himself once more pounding the skins when he’s recruited as an emergency replacement by a band to which his nerdy nephew Matt (Josh Gad) belongs.
- from Reuters