hypROCKrisy

In a momentary lapse of judgment, I ordered The Rocker off my television's OnDemand and what I found was not only the most cliche comedy I have watched in recent memory, but a work of complete and utter hypocrisy. My initial complaints are that the entire movie is essentially a platform for Teddy Geiger's singing career filled with SNL players and NBC stars (Fred Armisen, Jason Sudeikis, Rainn Wilson, Will Arnett, and what's-his-face... that guy who plays Josh on 30 Rock....). The only "humor" comes from the physical comedy and infrequent points when Wilson's character mimics Dwight Shrute (and even then I was simply reminded of a much funnier moment that occurred on The Office). These transgressions, however, remain mild compared to the basic flaw of the movie.

The plot surrounds Reed "Fish" Fishman, a drummer kicked out of his band Vesuvius right before they hit it big. Fast forward 20 years, and Fish is still bitter. Luckily, his nephew's band is in need of a drummer... because THEIR drummer couldn't play their prom gig. When Fish steps in, of course the band is an immediate success via a cheapened-for-laughs That Thing You Do moment, rocket to stardom and eventually outshine Vesuvius and stick it to the evil record executive.... What the f*** Rainn?!? You just destroyed the dream of a teenage drummer in a very similar situation that you found yourself in 20 years earlier. There isn't even a throwaway line implying that the drummer couldn't play in the band anymore, or that his mom banned him from the drums forever, or ANYTHING. He disappears much like Tiger in the Brady Bunch, or Tara Reid's film career. 

Who greenlit this movie?! Geiger is a more awkward John Mayer, Fatty nephew is a less-funny Jonah HIll, and the chick from Superbad has the range of a chipmunk... and not even the dramatic chipmunk. Awful.