Walk Hard

Aside from the gratuitous full frontal male nudity, and perhaps the unsettling machete fight scenes, this was a mildly entertaining movie with some gut busting sequences. Walk Hard follows Dewey Cox, a fictitious Johnny Cash doppleganger from his rural upbringing in 1940's Alabama to a present day lifetime achievement award concert. The story mirrors 2005's Walk the Line in many ways; from his brushes with musical legends to the drug abuse, to his unhappy and dysfunctional family life. The caveat is that this is a comedic story with original music, created by the guy who directed Knocked up and the 40 Year Old Virgin, and who has had his hands in every successful comedy over the past 2 years (as well as 2008's slated comedies). Judd Apatow was recently named the top entertainer of the year, and that honor is deserved. As a director, writer and producer, he is bringing stardom to his laundry list of friends, who each seem to be finding starring roles out of virtually nowhere.

The film brings to the screen a familiar theme of a rags to riches story with the speed bumps of fame and unhappiness, and it does it through John C. Reilly. One of the most recognizable and memorable supporting actors of the past 15 years, he finally gets to headline a film, and he brilliantly shows off his comedic chops. On display is also his performing ability, and voice. He sings the cheesy and lyrically riotous songs with a straight face, and makes you develop a soft spot for this character that is so over the top ridiculous and ignorant that it actually works. Had it been another actor, the intended effect of homage through comedy may have turned out to be more insulting. He deserves his Golden Globe nomination, but has stiff competition this year and may lose out to Depp or Hoffman.

What kept the film afloat for lack of a real story was the plethora of cameos. In a great scene taking place somewhere in India or Tibet, Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Jason Schwartzman and Justin Long play the Beatles and none are listed in the credits. Jenna Fischer plays the second wife of Cox (June Carter), and her performance is uplifting and proves that she can handle comedy with the big boys, and not just on television. Worthy of mention also is Tim Meadows, who has been out of the spotlight for quite some time, and although I've always kind of considered him a lightweight, he made for a delightful supporting character. Playing the drummer in Cox's band, he had some of the best lines of the movie, and his timing was right on.

Some of the jokes got a little old (the wrong son died!), and I wish that there was a little more musically, but all of the songs (performed) were original and captured the essence of Cox in the changing world of pop music. Heavily influenced by current trends, his sound shifts into the Bob Dylan, Punk, David Bowie and Brian Wilson forms of music, ultimately coming back to his Johnny Cash roots at the end. A good story, but there are some segments that slow down a bit too much. It would have benefited from more musical interludes and less of an attempt at pseudo-drama in the home-life. For the record, the song "Let's Duet" should have been nominated for the Golden Globe, not "Walk Hard". It is absolutely hilarious, full of double entendres and innuendo. If you're in a cheerful mood, this is a good movie, but you have to truly be in the mood for silliness. 7/10.