Movie Reviews

Bandwagon

20 Feb 1998

The number of movies about rock bands over the years - while ridiculous - is not really surprising. 'Making it' in rock music is one of the great dreams of western youth. Strangely, if the movies are any indication, the 'dream' includes ultimate failure. Forget about being as big as the Beatles (or even the Commodores). One-hit wonders (That Thing You Do) seem to be as successful as movie bands are allowed to become.

So it is withBandwagon - written and directed by newcomer John Schultz - in which four misfits, with nothing else to do, decide to form a band called Circus Monkey. Not exactly a new idea, but that's okay: it's a comedy. As such, the band's main talent is Tony Ridge (played by another newcomer, Lee Holmes), who is so neurotic that he can only perform with his back to the audience. He is also probably the most normal member of the band.

Not that he has much competition. His bandmates are Charlie (Matthew Hennessey), a naive, pseudo-philosophical bore; Eric (Steve Parlavecchio), a violent rebel with a talent for making enemies; and Wynn (Kevin Corrigan), whose brain has been hopelessly addled by drugs. They might not seem like the most amiable (or well-matched) bunch, but each of them is effectively funny, and the casting is perfect.

According to the production notes, Schultz wanted an 'honest' look at the independent music industry. These extreme characters were an unusual way to start. To add to the fantasy, their road manager is Linus Tate (Doug MacMillan), an enigmatic, all-knowing figure who vanishes mysteriously once he accomplishes his 'missions'.

No doubt academics will see the band as 'types' - representing four faces of rock, from Eric's hotheaded rebellion to Charlie's pretentious meanderings. Fortunately, as the film progresses, we see their more human sides, while avoiding the usual trap of sacrificing the humour.

As a bonus, the film actually has something to say - about success and 'selling out' - but it's perhaps best to imagine that (like most other successful low-budget comedies) it has no great message. And while it doesn't aim for the heart quite as truly as, say, The Full Monty, it is fresh and enjoyable fare.