The world of music videos exploded into the mainstream in the 1980's (even though it had been around in one form or another for decades), and this freaky comedy starring John Cusack as a novice in the industry is a hoot. Not great, and certainly dated from the start, but very funny for the reminder of how crazy the 80's were, for movies, music, fashion and the cult personalities that decade produced.
Cusack and his associate, Tim Robbins (looking quite different in spikey platinum hair and glasses) find someone willing to give them a chance, but it's all without pay. Their continued "spec" assignments lead them into a very weird world of rock artists and the scandals surrounding them, with veteran actresses Jessica Walter, Susan Tyrell and Connie Stevens spoofing their image (Walter as "Kay Mart", Tyrell as the mistress of a politician with an incriminating tape) and Mary Crosby very funny spoofing Fran Fresher in "This is Spinal Tap".
Then there's the parody of long forgotten rock groups. A Swedish boy band gets pelted with paint, feathers and water hoses and nearly electrocuted; sky lab falls and crushes performers at the Greek, and groupies go berserk. Cusack is seen early in the film being kicked out of music offices in New York and Los Angeles in very funny ways, and when he wins an award turns just as freaky as the others around him. They have to be seen to be believed. Maybe not exactly the strongest rise to fame story, but you won't forget the delightful weirdness.
Cusack and his associate, Tim Robbins (looking quite different in spikey platinum hair and glasses) find someone willing to give them a chance, but it's all without pay. Their continued "spec" assignments lead them into a very weird world of rock artists and the scandals surrounding them, with veteran actresses Jessica Walter, Susan Tyrell and Connie Stevens spoofing their image (Walter as "Kay Mart", Tyrell as the mistress of a politician with an incriminating tape) and Mary Crosby very funny spoofing Fran Fresher in "This is Spinal Tap".
Then there's the parody of long forgotten rock groups. A Swedish boy band gets pelted with paint, feathers and water hoses and nearly electrocuted; sky lab falls and crushes performers at the Greek, and groupies go berserk. Cusack is seen early in the film being kicked out of music offices in New York and Los Angeles in very funny ways, and when he wins an award turns just as freaky as the others around him. They have to be seen to be believed. Maybe not exactly the strongest rise to fame story, but you won't forget the delightful weirdness.