Rock Star review

Mark Wahlberg revisits his past life as a singer in this entertaining if unconvincing parable about the unforeseen dangers of having your dreams come true. That Wahlberg possesses such impeccable credentials for the role and the story is based on a real life incident makes Rock Star's failure to be persuasive all the more disappointing.

Centering on the exploits of a heavy metal band, Rock Star treads a path that's already been well worn and to better effect by the likes of Spinal Tap and more recently Almost Famous. The film's best moments are derived from poking fun at a musical genre that's ripe for parody, but it's when Rock Star imbues itself with a sense of earnestness that things go awry.

Wahlberg plays Chris "Izzy" Cole, a photocopier repairman from Pittsburgh whose life is devoted to his musical heroes Steel Dragon. He transcends his drab world by modelling himself on the band's singer Bobby Beers (Jason Flemyng) and fronting his own Steel Dragon tribute band, Blood Pollution. His demanding attention to detail in replicating both his hero's wardrobe and Steel Dragon's repertoire note for note, finally snaps the patience of his band mates who fire him. Encouraged by his girlfriend Emily (Jennifer Aniston) to abandon his vicarious existence and develop his own talent, he is contemplating his next move when he receives the phone call every aspiring singer dreams of. Steel Dragon, having seen a tape of Izzy performing, invite him to fly to California to audition to replace the recently sacked Beers.

Based on Judas Priest's replacement of lead singer Rob Halford with an office supplies salesman from Ohio who'd previously fronted his own Priest tribute band, Rock Star does a good job of using art to imitate life. It's when it's on its own that the film loses its way as it becomes heavy handed and clichéd in its portrayal of the pitfalls that await Izzy in his new life.

The film is directed with assurance rather than flair by Stephen Herek (101 DalmatiansMr Holland's Opus from a script by John Stockwell, whose prowess as director of Crazy/Beautiful outshines his writing ability here. Both Wahlberg and Aniston do good work, with strong support in particular from Timothy Spall as the droll tour manager.

The world of a rock star is perceived as glamorous and exciting, even if the reality is very different. This paradox is symbolic of Rock Star which promises more than it delivers.