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Anyone who’s seen an episode or two of the American version of The Office knows that Rainn Wilson is a funny, funny guy. Though he’s best known for his TV role as office drone Dwight Schrute, he’s had a few memorable moments on the big screen, too (most notably his cameo in last year’s Juno). But, unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that he can carry a whole movie by himself.
In The Rocker, Wilson plays washed-up ‘80s hair band drummer Robert “Fish” Fishman. Twenty years ago, Fish was on top of the world. His band, Vesuvius, was close to signing with a major label—which was sure to rocket the Cleveland quartet into super-stardom. The deal, however, came with a catch: a new drummer. And suddenly Vesuvius was on its way to the top—without Fish.
Now Fish has hit rock bottom. He can’t keep a job—or a girlfriend—and he’s forced to live in his sister’s attic. When his nephew, Matt (Josh Gad), asks him to fill in for his band’s drummer for their prom gig, Fish reluctantly agrees. But then Matt’s little sister leads videos of the band’s rehearsal on YouTube. The band becomes an overnight sensation—and Fish finally gets his chance at stardom.
The Rocker is an odd mix of inspirational teen movie and outrageous comedy. On one hand, it’s a cute story about a group of teen misfits who get a chance to live out their dreams. On the other hand, it’s an over-the-top comedy about a sloppy, drunk, middle-aged misfit who dreams of a life of groupies and trashed hotel rooms. It’s part Disney Channel, part Judd Apatow. And while each part may be great on its own, together, they’re just a bit…uncomfortable.
For a while—and sporadically throughout the movie—Wilson is amusing as the aging never-was. But no matter how funny an actor may be, there’s just so far one can take a character whose jokes revolve around his being drunk and sloppy and/or falling down. Fish is a supporting character who’s been forced into a lead role—and the whole act just gets old after a while.
Meanwhile, the movie’s teen stars are completely underused. Though the audience gets a few hints that the characters could very well be likeable and interesting, they’re barely developed—and they end up being little more than cute clichés (the tough rocker chick, the goofy overweight kid, and the tortured artist).
In the end, The Rocker is just another movie that doesn’t know what it wants to be when it grows up. Does it want to be a cute teen movie? Or maybe an outrageous comedy? Or maybe an over-the-top romantic comedy? It just never makes up its mind. So while it’s cute at times and funny at others, it ends up feeling a bit too much like a reality TV show starring a has-been ‘80s rocker: awkward…and kinda creepy.
