Wheeler

Stephen Dorff does a pretty good job here. I tend to like him in a variety of roles. I think he is underrated as an actor. I thought the music was pretty good and the story was pretty good. I understand artists toil for years before getting discovered but it's a fictional movie so you have to just sit back, curb the cynicism, and enjoy.

"Nashville doesn't even know what's coming to them." Wheeler (Dorff) is a local Texas musician who is ready to try his luck in Nashville. His childhood friend starts to document his journey. When he gets to Nashville things go exactly like he planned…almost. This is a mock- umentary type movie that really works. Dorff really transforms into this role and that makes the entire thing work brilliantly. The one thing that is very unbelievable though is how fast everything moves for him. Any story a successful musician tells talks about years and years of struggle. Garth Brooks famously got turned down so many times that he left Nashville his first time. Wheeler doesn't have that problem. The music is great, the movie is very good and if you are a fan of movies about music this is definitely one to watch. Overall, the best way to describe this is a type of prequel to Crazy Heart. I liked this one quite a bit. I give this a B.

Wheeler is a faux documentary about an aspiring country singer Wheeler Bryson (Stephen Dorff.) A 41 year old ordinary guy from Texas who travels to Nashville to make it big as a country singer. Going along with him for the ride is his friend Bobby who documents his endeavours.

In Nashville, Wheeler takes part in some open mic evenings, impresses industry executives and he even gets to meet the legendary Kris Kristofferson. In fact things go swimmingly for Wheeler. His songs are a mixture of new country and folk with Bruce Springsteen like sensibilities.

Apparently Dorff under heavy makeup actually sang in clubs without telling the patrons who he was or that it was being filmed. However I had no idea why this film was being shot as a documentary. Even worse as the film goes on Dorff starts to sing again and again. The songs are not that good.

I actually thought it might be a mockumentary and somewhere it would be played for laughs. However it is all a serious drama and you get the feeling there will be some tragedy involved.

Dorff obviously wants to show his acting and singing chops. The movie is just boring and some of the songs are just dirge.

The most interesting aspect about the film is when Wheeler tells a friend a story about how all Texans are illegal immigrants. People moved there in the 19th century from other parts of the USA as it offered free land and low taxes. It was then owned by Mexico before it became its own country and then joined the rest of the USA. You see not all Texans are rednecks.

Well here was an unexpected candle in the night. Simple little plot; simple little theme, but comfortably carried you through the entire movie. There won't be any shimmery academy awards given but this movie is well worth the watch. Much better than I expected. Of course we had just finished watching a dog of a movie called Gold Star so my review of Wheeler could be a little biased. I will add, if you are a neurotic, nervous, hyper kind of a person you probably should just pass on this one. It will seem too slow for you. For the rest of the down to earth types, saddle up this horse. I think she's worth the ride.

I'm such an idiot - I actually thought this WAS a documentary at first! Lol - but nonetheless, I enjoyed it! It keep me interested - but I couldn't help but keep thinking to myself, he's really NOT that great of a singer!!! Lol.