Spinal Tap, Bad News, Bill + Ted, Lawnmower Deth; yes, there sure has been enough hilarious and classy Rock'n'Roll satires/parodies over the years.
Regarding this one, it certainly has to be given credit considering it was made in the vulgar, moronic and abyssal 'lad' setting of Britain in the late-90's. Sure, the vulgar plastic decor, jumpy photography and even 'Ibiza Trance' background score are abundant; I guess they tried to market this film to current youngsters !
That said, the cast is full of diverse and famous names, from the Scottish comic antics of Billy Connelly (sound engineer) to the Midlands nihilism of Timothy Spall (drummer) to Bill Nighy's prophetical (pre-Love Actually) egotistic and inebriated frontman, to posh 'minxiness' of Frances Barber (groupie) to new young blood in Rachel Stirling (manager's daughter). Not to forget an actual musician in Jimmy Nail's cynical bass player; sure, he and Bill Nighy are officially credited with the made-for-film songs. And where did all those punky/cyber/'alt' kids in the boat scene come from ???
Generally comical in style, with typical 'Spinal Tap-esque' precarious situations - lightning blowing up stage machinery, mic-stands busting gas/water pipes, in-studio fights, and sex-crazed groupies, toward the end it takes a sentimental and slightly slushy turn as a supposedly dead former bandmate makes a comeback, spontaneously adding lead guitar to a power ballad at a festival. Sure, at that point you don't know whether to laugh or cry!
All in all, I'll give it 7/10 for being funny, satirical and essentially good considering its era, even if such an era did give it a trendy and slightly vulgar 'millennium' twist !
Regarding this one, it certainly has to be given credit considering it was made in the vulgar, moronic and abyssal 'lad' setting of Britain in the late-90's. Sure, the vulgar plastic decor, jumpy photography and even 'Ibiza Trance' background score are abundant; I guess they tried to market this film to current youngsters !
That said, the cast is full of diverse and famous names, from the Scottish comic antics of Billy Connelly (sound engineer) to the Midlands nihilism of Timothy Spall (drummer) to Bill Nighy's prophetical (pre-Love Actually) egotistic and inebriated frontman, to posh 'minxiness' of Frances Barber (groupie) to new young blood in Rachel Stirling (manager's daughter). Not to forget an actual musician in Jimmy Nail's cynical bass player; sure, he and Bill Nighy are officially credited with the made-for-film songs. And where did all those punky/cyber/'alt' kids in the boat scene come from ???
Generally comical in style, with typical 'Spinal Tap-esque' precarious situations - lightning blowing up stage machinery, mic-stands busting gas/water pipes, in-studio fights, and sex-crazed groupies, toward the end it takes a sentimental and slightly slushy turn as a supposedly dead former bandmate makes a comeback, spontaneously adding lead guitar to a power ballad at a festival. Sure, at that point you don't know whether to laugh or cry!
All in all, I'll give it 7/10 for being funny, satirical and essentially good considering its era, even if such an era did give it a trendy and slightly vulgar 'millennium' twist !