The Rocker (2008)

The Rocker tells the story of a failed drummer who is given a second chance at fame. Robert "Fish" Fishman is the extremely dedicated and astoundingly passionate drummer for the eighties ... See full summary »

Director:

Peter Cattaneo

Writers:

Maya Forbes (screenplay), Wallace Wolodarsky (screenplay),

Stars:

Rainn Wilson, Christina Applegate, Teddy Geiger

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rainn Wilson	...	Fish
Christina Applegate	...	Kim
Teddy Geiger	...	Curtis
Josh Gad	...	Matt
Emma Stone	...	Amelia
Jeff Garlin	...	Stan
Jane Lynch	...	Lisa
Jason Sudeikis	...	David Marshall
Will Arnett	...	Lex
Howard Hesseman	...	Gator
Fred Armisen	...	Kerr
Bradley Cooper	...	Trash
Lonny Ross	...	Sticks
Jon Glaser	...	Billy (as Jonathan Glaser)
Jane Krakowski	...	Carol

Storyline

The Rocker tells the story of a failed drummer who is given a second chance at fame. Robert "Fish" Fishman is the extremely dedicated and astoundingly passionate drummer for the eighties hair band Vesuvius, who is living the rock n' roll dream until he is unceremoniously kicked out of the band. Twenty years after his rock star fantasies are destroyed, just when Fish has finally given up all hope, he hears that his nephew's high school rock band A.D.D. is looking for a new drummer. They reluctantly make him the newest member of the band, giving him a chance to reclaim the rock God throne he's always thought he deserved, and taking the young band along for the ride of their lives.

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Plot Keywords:

drummer | rock star | rock band | t shirt | living in an attic | 

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Taglines:

He always knew he was going to be huge

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Genres:

Comedy | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for drug and sexual references, nudity and language

Details

Official Sites:

Twentieth Century Fox [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 August 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Un rockero de locura

Filming Locations:

Cinespace Film Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£217,745 (UK) (17 October 2008)

Gross:

£217,745 (UK) (17 October 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Atomic, 21 Laps Entertainment, Rocan Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Loosely based on Pete Best who was the original drummer for the Beatles and can be seen at the beginning of the movie reading the Rolling Stone magazine with Vesuvius on the cover.

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Goofs

Just before Jeremy enters to tell the group he cant play the prom, Amelia flips off Curtis and drops her arm. In the next shot after Jeremy enters, she is still half flipping him off and her arm sort of just hangs there.

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Quotes

Robert 'Fish' Fishman: I am a golden Fish!

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Connections

References MTV News (1981)

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Soundtracks

"Living for the First Time"
Written by Christopher Faizi and Ferraby Lionheart

User Reviews

The Rocker Movie Review from The Massie Twins

Though it borrows liberally from its genre brethren, The Rocker showcases a keen sense of parody and heart with a powerful star performance from the Jack Black-channeling Rainn Wilson. The "naked drummer" doesn't stray too far from his Office persona, but the random foul-mouthed spurts and goggle-eyed expressions certainly add a welcome layer of comic ingenuity.

In 1986, Robert "Fish" Fishman (Rainn Wilson) drums for the popular rock band Vesuvius and a lucrative career seems destined to embrace him. However, a chance to play at a killer gig causes his bandmates to sell him out for fast fame, and the drummer is literally kicked to the streets. Twenty years later, Robert finds himself in a dead-end desk job with no hope of escaping his mundane lifestyle. But good luck and misfortune strike simultaneously leaving him jobless, homeless, and shacked up at his sister's house – where the desperation of his nephew's rock band lands him a spot as their drummer. What starts off as a rocky, mismatched collaboration inadvertently becomes a rapid success and Robert, along with Amelia (Emma Stone), Curtis (Teddy Geiger), and Matt (Josh Gad) may finally get to live the dream they've worked so hard to obtain.

For his debut leading film role, Rainn Wilson manages a diverse blend of comedy and emanates the better qualities of funnyman Jack Black. Rainn keeps his character under control so as not to get annoying but remains erratic enough to evoke plenty of laughs. Most of the physical comedy (and nudity, unfortunately) belongs to the Office veteran who competently handles elaborate falls and crazed expressions with sincere enthusiasm. Spouting off random quotable gibes, Wilson utilizes a copious amount of offbeat one-liners and bizarre references that will result in a hearty chuckle for those attuned to the borderline-offensive brand of comedy.

While the primary band members fill their roles quite ably, a surprising amount of laughs come from the hilarious supporting characters and their moments of inspired lunacy. Most notable are Will Arnett as a crazed 80's rocker and Jason Sudeikis as an arrogant record label agent whose offensive pick-up lines never fail to amuse. Numerous cameos also fill the screen, from stand-up comedian favorites to famous musicians and anchored comedy character actors.

Though the whole cast turns in fine performances and Rainn Wilson conjures up a delirious beast of a drummer, The Rocker's downfall may be its heavily treaded subject matter. The cliché-filled plot resembles far too many others and even the rather unique pieces feel drowned out by the surplus of stereotypical events. What clearly rocks though is the hysterical frontman and a host of great cameos and fantastic supporting characters who bring an edgy absurdity to the whole affair.

• Joel Massie