Rock My World

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!

"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-)

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.

$3.99 at Wal-Mart, compared with Almost Famous and Spinal Tap and starring Peter O'toole & Joan Plowright. I had to buy it, even though I knew it had to be straight to video crap.

HOW SURPRISED I WAS!!!

While certainly not up to the level of Almost Famous or Puppet Show (I mean, Spinal Tarp), we were pleasantly surprised to find a small gem of a movie. No great "blow you away" music, but it was extremely interesting music to listen too, especially the piano duet with Joan Plowright. Augmentation heaven!

Peter O'toole, one of my all time faves, gives an extremely uneven performance, but I chalk it up to terrible directing more than him. There are moments he and the dialogue shine. Although few, the interactions with his niece are extremely moving, and seeing him taking XTC is a trip! And while this is not Shakespeare, Joan Plowright shows you how talented she really is. I kept thinking of the mom from That 70's Show.

Alicia Silverstone plays the bassist / new member of the band. While she is obviously not a musician, she does a pretty admirable job, in fact, all the band actors come across as actual musicians, in their goofy mannerisms and dialogue... Alicia has the laid back / uber talented bassist thing down pat, IMO.

ESPECIALLY for $3.99, I highly recommend this movie.

a few warnings... 1) The DVD quality is terrible 2) The cinematography is terrible. 3) The very famous director seems like he couldn't have cared less for this production, which is a real shame. 4) The music is by a band called Casino. 5) There is no soundtrack. But there is a Yahoo group. Go figure...

i saw this movie this morning and thoroughly enjoyed it. While it was not the most intelligent movie ever made, I feel that the previous critique was a bit harsh. This movie was fun, no more no less. Admittedly the actors won't win any awards for their performances but in my opinion they pulled it off. The story was quit shady but at least it wasn't boring and repetitive. I also very much so enjoyed the music. To many movies play the safe road, stealing plots that have been used over and over. This plot was totally new to me and i applaud the movie for that. Silverstone was also as cute as ever. I feel that this movie is completely suffice for something to watch when there isn't anything else on.