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The Rocker Our rating: Rate this movie   MPAA rating: PG-13 (for drug and sexual references, nudity and language) Genre: Comedy Theater release: July 30, 2008 by 20th Century Fox Directed by: Peter Cattaneo Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes Cast: Rainn Wilson (Robert "Fish" Fishman), Josh Gad (Matt Gadman), Emma Stone (Amelia), Teddy Geiger (Curtis), Christina Applegate (Amelia's Mom) Related: Talk About It/Family Corner

The band called "A.D.D." has a gig to play at the high school prom, but they're suddenly without a drummer. One applicant shows up at audition with an electronic drum simulator, and he's grooving happily along when the pianist's uncle objects. "But lots of bands play drum loops," says the kid, and the uncle retorts, "Lots of elevators play Celine Dion. That doesn't make it right."

It's not that funny a line, right? What makes it funny is Rainn Wilson's delivery. This actor is best known for his role as Dwight Shrute in NBC's successful sitcom, The Office. When I say that in The Rocker he borrows from that persona, Office fans will know immediately what I mean, although I find it hard to describe. Dwight is a naïve know-it-all, a belligerent nerd, given to asking rhetorical questions which that he then answers loftily, a paragon of self-importance. He is tall and moves awkwardly, and his high, white forehead is accentuated with parenthetical curls.

Rainn Wilson as Robert FishFishman

On any subject, Dwight is an expert—maybe. When confronted with an actor portraying Benjamin Franklin, Dwight pronounces, "That is not the real Ben Franklin. I am 99 percent sure." His eyes are hard and staring, posing a perennial challenge. Here's a classic Dwight speech: "It appears that the website has become alive. This happens to computers and robots sometimes. Am I scared of a stupid computer? Please. The computer should be scared of me. I have been salesman of the month for 13 of the last 12 months. You heard me right. I did so well last February that Corporate gave me two plaques in lieu of a pay raise."

In The Rocker, Wilson is portraying a guy with quite a different history, but many of the elements—the tense, staring eyes, the inclination to make pronouncements, the long-limbed awkwardness—contribute to making the character work. The character's name is Robert "Fish" Fishman (the odd moniker is an in-joke; the drummer for the rock band Phish is Jon "Fish" Fishman), and he has not had a successful career. In 1986 he was the drummer for a Cleveland metal band named Vesuvius, but was kicked out on the eve of their breakout to make way for the son of the record label's boss. He's spent the past 20 years brooding, and when his nephew, Matt, begs him to be their substitute drummer, he initially refuses: "Drumming is pain. I've had enough pain for a lifetime." It's another line that's a dud on the page, but gets laughs when delivered with intense, staring, over-emphasis.

Emma Stone as Amelia

Once Fish plays with A.D.D., he becomes energized with thoughts of at last attaining his dream of fame and savoring the rock'n'roll life. Due to a fluke—more about that below—the band becomes widely known, and sets out on a statewide tour. (Another in-joke: the driver of the classic Silver Eagle Coach bus is portrayed by Pete Best, famous for being the drummer fired by the Beatles before Ringo came along). Fish is ardent about living the road-tour high life, but at his age, he's soon a mass of sprains and bruises. He tosses a TV out a motel window, and when the band is being processed into jail, he's exuberant. "We're going behind bars—that's what it's all about!" The band's lead singer responds, "For me it's been more about the music."

You've probably guessed by now that the film's storyline is not its strong point. This is a "follow your dreams" comeback movie, in which the lead character reawakens after years of resignation and recommits to his long-lost goal. The various disapproving or eager grownups adhere to familiar stereotypes, as does the younger generation. When the band's bassist summarizes the group, there's a flash of self-recognition: "You're the angsty, brooding songwriter; and you're the nerd; and I'm the ironic punk girl; and he's the old guy. Where have you seen that before?"

Teddy Geiger as Curtis

There's plenty we've seen before. The brooding songwriter, Curtis, is still grieving his parents' divorce and his dad's abandonment, and it appears to be the topic of most of his songs. A dirge-like new tune repeats the chorus, "I'm so bitter." Fish recommends that they change it to "I'm not bitter," and "push the tempo." With those changes, the song truly rocks. Yes, you first saw this scene in That Thing You Do! (1996), and it's a better movie. When Fish confronts Vesuvius at the movie's climax, they have improbably acquired British accents—it appears they've become [This Is] Spinal Tap (1984). And the entire plotline recalls School of Rock (2003), though Jack Black has a sweetness at the core that makes that film more beguiling.

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