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.

Charming ? Of course; it's English. Well, it's not English. Turns out it was shot near Toronto. I had no idea until I checked the IMDb on it. That is the first plus. I was watching endless TV crap.. (sleepless) and this movie appeared. I have always loved Peter O'Toole and there he was. I have not even finished watching it and I am forced to write this review. By the way; this is the first I have ever written. Pardon my inexperience. Imagine the disruption an English lord feels when his wife inveigles him into accepting an American rock band into his castle.. (In England a man's home is his castle) but then imagine how the Lord and Lady gradually win the love of the band and begin to change their views. Good acting for the most part, good direction and not too many of the usual clichés made this movie rise well above the usual TV mediocrity. I think I have to be honest and not give it a ten out of ten but it is certainly worth. .. umm. OK 6.8. These days 6.8 on IMDb is high praise so please give this one a chance and if you happen to decide to write YOUR first review ..? Treat this one kindly. Before I get back to watching the ending Just let me say that this is that this is a surprising success.

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.

This movie is called "Rock My World" in Canada. It is wrought with absurd cliché's. The sweet innocent band versus the conniving commercial oriented meanie from the record label. The band is purportedly an uberfamous "rock" act, but the songs are corny (think an angry richard marx with a guitar). The band seems more like the ARchies than they do smashing pumpkins...in short its a kids movie, innocent and harmless. Admittedly I enjoyed it, it has some funny one liners and the freshness of youthful rebellion has some appeal to the dreamy inner child, granted the ego is able to get over the silly plot, and enjoy the movie. THe guys are cute, and I was surprised that Alicia silverstone was convincing as a bassist and seems to have finally outgrown the clueless curse/aura. Joan & Peter O'toole ensure the film has class and quality, and are a delight to watch.A fun family surprise. Very easy to poke fun, but I have the thing on tape. Go figure.

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!