Approaching this from the perspective of a fan of actor/singer Michael Des Barres, not to mention having been a Duran Duran fan for 9 years now, you could say I looked forward to this a little too much. It did not disappoint (with only a few minor quibbles, which I will discuss below).
No, it was entirely too satisfying...a bucket of popcorn with seriously evil amounts of heavenly butter. Combining a hip, witty edge with the jaded world of the rock 'n roll business, tons of in-jokes, delightfully shocking happenings, and down-to-earth connecting, it's like a backstage pass to the small soap-opera-like world the characters operate in.
The plot moves along quickly between groups of people, tied together by sex and business, and even the most surprising turn of events leaves the viewer thinking "of COURSE that's what would happen." Dialogue crackles with intensity, allowing the viewer to forget they're watching a movie and not eavesdropping on personal lives.
John Taylor, in his first lead role, was entirely believable in this almost-but-not-quite autobiographical role. Michael Des Barres was wickedly funny and sexy as Nick, totally perfect in every way, drug-free and decadent all at once. Beyond Michael and John, I must mention the warm-hearted portrayal by Rosanna Arquette, whose character I liked much more than I thought I would, the fanatically insane character played by Ally Sheedy, and the wonderfully intense performance by Vincent Berry as "Nerve."
Other plotlines tangled with these to tell one story, with heart-wrenching moments of temptation, humor, and that brilliant Los Angeles sunshine.
Okay, here come the quibbles: When Steve Jones turned down the part of "Jonesy," it diminished the impact of the role and the dynamic of the three men together as it could have been. Perhaps the character should have been renamed. Steve, Michael and John have been in bands together several times over the years (and how perfect it would be in real life to have a band with all three in it at once!) This is not to take away from Martin Kemp, who turned in an astonishing job in a role I would never have believed a man with his musical background could carry.
The other quibble is that it would have been cool to have a scene of the band performing, and not that drudgy icky song we're supposed to believe is theirs (no way, not after hearing what Michael, John & Steve were really capable of when they worked together - Power Station (J & M), Chequered Past & the Susspects (M & S) and Neurotic Outsiders (J & S). It would have been the ultimate. But perhaps I'm biased. :)
Anyway, all I can say is - can't wait to see it on the big screen as many times as I can!
No, it was entirely too satisfying...a bucket of popcorn with seriously evil amounts of heavenly butter. Combining a hip, witty edge with the jaded world of the rock 'n roll business, tons of in-jokes, delightfully shocking happenings, and down-to-earth connecting, it's like a backstage pass to the small soap-opera-like world the characters operate in.
The plot moves along quickly between groups of people, tied together by sex and business, and even the most surprising turn of events leaves the viewer thinking "of COURSE that's what would happen." Dialogue crackles with intensity, allowing the viewer to forget they're watching a movie and not eavesdropping on personal lives.
John Taylor, in his first lead role, was entirely believable in this almost-but-not-quite autobiographical role. Michael Des Barres was wickedly funny and sexy as Nick, totally perfect in every way, drug-free and decadent all at once. Beyond Michael and John, I must mention the warm-hearted portrayal by Rosanna Arquette, whose character I liked much more than I thought I would, the fanatically insane character played by Ally Sheedy, and the wonderfully intense performance by Vincent Berry as "Nerve."
Other plotlines tangled with these to tell one story, with heart-wrenching moments of temptation, humor, and that brilliant Los Angeles sunshine.
Okay, here come the quibbles: When Steve Jones turned down the part of "Jonesy," it diminished the impact of the role and the dynamic of the three men together as it could have been. Perhaps the character should have been renamed. Steve, Michael and John have been in bands together several times over the years (and how perfect it would be in real life to have a band with all three in it at once!) This is not to take away from Martin Kemp, who turned in an astonishing job in a role I would never have believed a man with his musical background could carry.
The other quibble is that it would have been cool to have a scene of the band performing, and not that drudgy icky song we're supposed to believe is theirs (no way, not after hearing what Michael, John & Steve were really capable of when they worked together - Power Station (J & M), Chequered Past & the Susspects (M & S) and Neurotic Outsiders (J & S). It would have been the ultimate. But perhaps I'm biased. :)
Anyway, all I can say is - can't wait to see it on the big screen as many times as I can!