Prey for Rock & Roll

PREY FOR ROCK AND ROLL (2003) *** Gina Gershon, Drea da Matteo, Lori Petty, Shelly Cole, Marc Blucas, Ivan Martin, Eddie Driscoll, Greg Rikaart, Sandra Seacat, Ashley Drane, Joannah Portman. Highly energetic and scrappy depiction of women in rock and roll and the dreams that always seem within grasp even if it takes decades to achieve. Gershon (she also co-executive produced and sings and performs all her own original songs to boot) is the lead singer (think the love child of Iggy Pop and Joan Jett) of a woman's rocking band attempting to score a recording contract to a ticket to the big time but the usual melodramas of bad choices in boyfriends, drugs and life in general delay them despite their game camaraderie and love for one another. The autobiographical screenplay by rocker Cheri Lovedog (and Robin Whitehouse) shows the warts and all look at a tough industry with some tough cookies clawing their way to gain some respect for their artistry (and from within). Petty gives her best performance since `Point Break' while da Matteo and Cole provide enough sugar and spice to mix things up believeably. Great soundtrack and again Gershon (who I love) clearly shows her blood, sweat and tears in this personal project with her trademark ballsy yet vulnerable and sexy-as-hell aplomb; she shoots and scores! (Dir: Alex Steyermark)

I just want to respond to some of the comments I've read here. First of all, this movie absolutely GETS IT RIGHT. Yes, rock musicians do really talk like that. I know this because I am one and so are all of my friends. Yes, most of the rock musicians I know really dress like that and really do all that drinking & drugging. And about the music...if the music was good, there'd be no movie, get it? They'd have gotten signed long ago so there'd be no hard times, no conflict. They even said during the movie that she couldn't sing! You want bad acting & great music, go watch Purple Rain. You want to watch a movie about what the rock life is really like, watch Prey For Rock and Roll.

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.

"Prey for Rock and Roll" sticks B-movie diva Gershon in the spotlight of yet another B-flick as the lesbo lead of an all-girl small time club rock band. This slice-of-rock-life look at the aging rock musician almost works but can't seem to avoid those oh so very Hollywoodish excursions into lesbian sex, sex for drugs, rape, revenge, etc. More music and fewer gratuities and this could have been a reasonable representation of the plight of the aging rocker, the narcotic-like hold music has over the musician, and the trade-offs and sacrifices they make for their art. However, when all is said and done, "Prey..." plays out like just another B-flick wannabe. Recommended for rockers and Gershon fans. (C+)

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!