Anvil: The Story of Anvil - C+

On DVD, Rated R for language.

Steve "Lips" Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner met in the 70s in Toronto and dreamed to make it big as rock stars. They had 15 minutes of fame in the early 80s at a concert in Tokyo, but unlike all the other bands that played there (including Whitesnake and Bon Jovi), fame and riches were elusive. Former Anvil roadie turned filmmaker Sacha Gervasi filmed Anvil between 2005-2007 during their last European tour (which feels exactly like This is Spinal Tap). He also spent time with family members and famous rock stars like Slash who are all complimentary of the band. I still don't know if Gervasi is truly still a fan or is exploiting them, but the film is certainly interesting, frustrating and memorable.

I've never liked metal rock even when some people did in the 80s. Anvil's most famous song, "Metal on Metal", is said to be influential on Metallica and others, but I'd never know since it all sounds like the same crap to me. Lips wearing bondage garb and playing a guitar with a dildo isn't unique or smart - it's pathetic, disgusting, and sad. In fact, the whole movie is sad - you feel sorry for these people who clearly and admittedly made bad choices with management and record labels. But they don't obviously have much talent or insight and the only thing they seem to be an expert at is self-delusion. It's shocking nobody mentions Spinal Tap since the comparisons are so obvious (including the drummer's name - you can't make this stuff up). Lips and Reiner even visit the real Stonehenge (but there are no dancing dwarfs like in This is Spinal Tap).There is lots of hilarious stuff in the movie, but the characters don't know it. My favorite line was after Lips's older sister gives him $10 K so he can record an album. His response: "Family's important sh!t, man." My second favorite line was after Lips accuses Reiner of having negative energy. Reiner's retort: "F@ck you! I'm positive!". The film tries to be one of those "triumph of the human spirit" films toward the end and the band should definitely be commended for following their dreams. But Gervasi seems to be implying that if you don't find all of this extraordinarily touching, then you're a jerk with real problem. Maybe I am, but family is not the only thing that's important. Talent, perspective, good parenting, and intelligence is all important sh!t, too (man). Probably a B for metal fans. C+

The unintentional laughs continue right up until the credits when Slash says that the bands that have stayed together the longest are (paraphrasing), "the Rolling Stones, The Who . . . and Anvil." !?!