Au coeur du rock

I am the worst channel surfer. I almost never find anything good on television unless I just happen to catch the tail end of it. This is one time I lucked out. The movie was just starting and I saw Joan Plowright with a big suitcase, I kept watching, then Peter O'Toole appeared, another good sign. I would watch footage of either of them asleep, and two not-so-stuffy aristocrats posing as their own servants for a rock band was a good enough premise for me.

I was worried this might be something sappy (and there is a schmaltz factor, I admit), but when when PO wound up in bed with a rock musician, I laughed. Alicia Silverstone surprisingly looked the part, she's very Liz Phair-esquire. This actually seems more like a funny episode of a TV show, but I'll take it. If you liked Plowright in "Bringing Down the House" check her out in this. Whoda thunk after Olivier's death she'd be such a sought-after comic actor?

File this one under Guilty Pleasures. It's not hilarious, but fun. Better than a some of Jim Carrey's mugging, for my money. It deserved a theatrical release in the states.

This refers to the TV version, so I might have missed something edited out.

After reading the TV listing's blurb I was set for a boring movie. Boy, was I ever surprised. Before the first commercial I was treated to people who have very realistic appearances (they look like everyday people), new takes on some old humor, evil corporate bullying and delightfully lovable English nobility who can pull off a harmless stunt when cornered by life's uglier realities.

Then came the Young People, otherwise known as an American band called Global Heresy, but they weren't the stereotypical, eye-rolling groaners. Definitely hip, loud, raucous and irreverent, they had good hearts as well as useable brains.

I'm not sure why some people have a problem with O'Toole in this role, though I can guess that some people like their dramas straight-up and don't want O'Toole to be comedic. I thought all the main characters were delightful, and O'Toole's portrayal of a nobleman forced to "lighten up" is something special to be seen.

I have *got* to see this again!

yes, it's cheesy. and yes, it's hard to believe that someone the caliber of peter o'toole would deign to be in a film like this. but i absolutely love this movie. it's nothing more than an enjoyable time filler/waster, but it's not meant to be anything more than that. alicia silverstone does a good job and thankfully lacks the whiny-ness of some of her previous roles (cher - clueless; eve - blast from the past; etc.). i truly think this is one of her better roles, even though it's a smaller film. the actors all look like believable musicians. and the music is good, too. though the plot can be a bit predictable, it's still a good time of a movie. it's nothing that will ever win an award (i think it's even too good for a razzie), but if you're looking for something that is strictly fun and doesn't require any thought, this is a good one to watch.

Lord Charles and Lady Diana Foxley have a spectacular house in England, and servants Benson and Margaret. But they can't afford to continue their magnificent lifestyle unless they make some changes.

Benson and Margaret are given time off, and Charles and Diana pose as Benson and Margaret as they rent out the house. An American rock band known as Global Heresy need some quiet time away from the spotlight, and this house will do nicely. The kids act pretty much the way one would expect at first, expecting the servants to do everything for them and bossing them around like they are entitled to whatever they want.

When the kids play their loud music, Charles cannot believe this is what passes for music (I agree with Charles, and unlike the stuffy aristocrat, I never changed my mind about this; nevertheless, the kids have talent). Diana is willing to be hip, though. Eventually, the kids treat them like human beings and even help them do their jobs better.

A couple of dramas are going on in the meantime. Natalie is the band's new bassist after Ben disappeared mysteriously, and she is trying too hard to make a contribution. Some band members just wish she would leave things alone, but others like what she adds to the group, particularly in the area of songwriting.

The band's management want to control the music, while the kids think their new contract will allow them to. But the people in charge don't believe the kids' vision of their music is what will make the most money. James, the man in charge of keeping the band happy, is working undercover to sabotage the band's efforts.

There is actually a third drama: Charles' nerdy but attractive niece shows up to work on a science project and is discovered skinny-dipping. She and her uncle don't get along, but one of the band members seems to have a crush.

Peter O'Toole and Joan Plowright both give fine performances. Plowright especially stands out because her character is so caring. No, this is not the sort of movie either would be known for. But I don't imagine most of us who like this sort of movie would be easily persuaded to see their best work. The other actors are good, for this sort of movie. Alicia Silverstone is different from some of the other characters I've seen her play, but still talented.

If anything, the movie was too short. I would have like to see more story development.

One gag that never worked for me: the evil paperboy. However, when Charles finally got his revenge ... see, the kids didn't know what was actually going on.

It's formula, but I like the formula.

"Rock My World" - a much better title than "Global Heresy" - tells of a stodgy English Lord and Lady (O'Toole & Plowright) who, in need of cash, play butler and maid in their country mansion to an American rock band on retreat. Most of the comedy in this earnest little "sleeper" comes from the obvious class/culture clashing as the story manages warmth and poignant moments with criss-crossing subplots while keeping the rock music to a minimum. Silverstone, who occupies the entire VHS cover, is little more than a prop with O'Toole and Plowright getting the lion's share of screen time. A slow starter which is a tad corny around the edges, "RMW" is probably suffering from under-marketing as the minimal interest in the film represented by this website is out of proportion to the film's potential mass appeal. Good stuff for PG-13's (language & drugs) and up. (B-)