Prey for Rock & Roll

I like it, but dang- I was expecting just a fun punk rock movie, but instead got a movie that gets pretty dark and serious. And that ending nearly ruins it for me, but... well, all in all, it does still have a fun punk rock feel about it, so I can't hate it on the whole.

Worth noting is that the film's star, Gina Gershon was coached by real-life Rock star Joan Jett on how to properly play electric guitar, and if you really pay attention, you can see Joan's influence in her stance and mannerisms as-well. Also, the tie/rope necklace Gina wears throughout the film was given to her by Joan. That said, Gina's way of talking and other things about her say more Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders to me (the Rock star Gina herself says she relates to more, in real life). All in all, it seems she basically channels a combo of the two.

The whole film is well-made and casted, and if it weren't for how depressing it gets, I would like it a lot more than I do, but I still like it. Besides, one thing a lot of people don't seem to realize is that this movie is loosely based on the real-life impressions and recollections of a woman named Cheri Lovedog during her time working in and around the music scene. And she who actually wrote the story for the film (so no, not based on Joan Jett as some of her fans joke). Thus, I guess the dark details needed to be in there for authenticity.

FYI- my girl Joan Jett was supposed to make an appearance in this film AND the guitar parts in the songs were supposed to be done by her on the soundtrack, but financial issues and disagreements between Joan's team and the movie's team meant that Joan dropped out and the idea for her cameo was abandoned, and her guitar parts replaced. Too bad too, cause there're some good songs in this movie.

I've always thought of punk rock as the most pure variant of what 'rock and roll' really is. Anarchy, chaos, pure violent emotion. Basically we are going to say what we came here to say and f*ck you if you don't like it.

In this film we are treated to those who would dare to devote some or all of their lives to the creation and perpetuation of this form of musical expression. We see how life and all its harsh realities are synthesized into musical form. This film is not a simple 'band chasing a contract stereotypical Hollywood rubbish' though I think that is how its marketers are trying to falsely spin it. This film is about each character and how they influence and are influenced by the music they create. Punk rock isn't pretty, thoughtless or safe music and the characters depicted in the film aren't either. We see both the humor and the tragedy that makes that humor possible in each of the characters lives (and there is plenty of each). Also, the lifestyle of those who choose to 'pray' at the alter of rock and roll pay a price. I think the double almost triple meaning of the title of the film says it all. Perhaps one really must suffer for ones art.

Basically, everything about the film is extremely well done from writing to the cast, direction, music, costumes, etc... Its obvious that this was a work of love for all involved. That being said this film isn't for everyone and there is plenty for people to hate and fear. If you're one of those unfortunate few who sympathize with the title of this review then you have more problems than I can help you with because Gina Gershon is hot no matter who she is kissing!

Overall Rating 9/10

oh, and f*ck you!

I was interested in this movie because of the "do your dreams have to die because you are over 40?" angle, but was completely blown away by the total quality of the movie. I'm not a huge rock fan so much (preferring jazz), but this movie made me a believer in the power of rock and I swear I am now going to regularly devour the entertainment listings in the "L.A. Weekly" with hopes of catching Cheri Lovedog (who wrote the autobiographical script) and I will be lining up at the Dragonfly or wherever with the rest of the explosive fans if she is still performing and I sure hope to God she is. Cheri--as you know better than most, dreams are eternal and age is a cipher. Maybe with this movie, you have made it like you deserve.

The music is hot and the women are even hotter--but there are no boundaries between the music and the women. Tender and tough all in the same package, those women are true stars. And these are no cookie-cutter characters, not by a long shot, and every single one of them is interesting to the max and were portrayed as not only very real, but people you have to care about despite how tough they come across--or maybe BECAUSE they are so tough, because no matter what life throws at them, they measure up to the challenge. They're fighters and survivors and I count that as an inspiring thing.

Probably my favorite character was "Faith," played by Lori Petty, although the entire cast was outstanding (and I have a tender place in my heart for Animal) but I have now firmly placed Gina Gershon at the head of the "sex is sex, I don't care which body parts you've got" list on which she was the charter member after her role in the movie "Bound". If I ever am asked why I won't explain whether I am gay or bi or whatever-the-hell, all I have to say is "Gina Gershon" and I hope that explains it all. This movie is the answer to so many questions I didn't even know I was asking. For those who love the power of music, for artists, for men and women, for the older and the younger, and for people everywhere just trying to love and to make it in life with as many pieces as possible, go see this film. I guess that includes everybody!

I really just liked this movie a whole lot. Sure the music wasn't the greatest but I am close to "40" and really can relate to these women. Must be my generation that went through Punk Rock, New Wave and Goth era that really got this movie. It just goes to show you you're never too old to dream and if your my age you're far from a poser instead we old folks deserve our respect for making a scene that people still try to emulate to this day. Have fun watch this movie and just be yourself. Thats what I got from it and I just really dig women with their style and panache. Always will and when you see someone that feels so strongly about their craft it makes it even better. This is far from just some average movie that glorifies the hardcore scene it makes it personal and non glamorous in a realistic way.

Based on the reviews I'd read of this film, I knew it could go either way: a supercheesy, false account of a "chick band," or an entertaining and authentic movie about rock music and the people who make it. Unfortunately, it went the supercheesy and false way.

Gina Gershon, Lori Petty, and Drea de Matteo are three of my favorite actors, and one of the few good--though thoroughly shallow--things I can say about the movie is that the women all looked fantastic (especially Gershon). De Matteo maximized her role as the strung-out Tracey; she's the only one who really shone.

One of the film's greatest flaws was incorporating so much of the band's music into scenes. The music was no great shakes, and especially unfortunate is Gershon's voice, which is thin and amateurish. By the time the movie reached its final fifteen minutes I was ready to hit the "mute" button.

Also irritating was the inauthenticity of the film and its characters, who postured endlessly about "rock and roll" this and "rock and roll" that. It's been my experience, as part of the New York City music scene, that no one who plays music talks that much about the "rock and roll lifestyle"!

The film handled issues such as rape and death with a very heavy hand, with a series of unrealistic plot twists--I'm thinking of what happens to Petty's character here in particular. Bad dialogue abounded.

All in all, only the attractiveness of the characters--particularly Gershon, whose tattoos and leather pants are irresistible, and for whom I've had a soft spot since "Bound"--makes this movie worth renting.