3.5/4
Every 14-year-old who gets his idle hands on his father’s dust-collecting guitar, couched in darkness of some suburban closet, dreams of becoming a rock star. And in the real-life saga of lead guitarist Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner ‘mdash; members of has-been Canadian heavy-metal band ‘Anvil’ ‘mdash; things aren’t any different, at least on the surface. As the fairytale goes, these two washed-up chefs might not merit more than a sneering glance, but inside, the ’80s punk spirit lives on. ‘
‘I need to realize this while I can,’ roars Kudlow in tears as he confronts Reiner. With a receding, ashy hairline and bags under his puppy eyes, Kudlow’s dreams seem comically unattainable. But it’s that underdog sentimentalism (and earnest indie docu-filming) that woos the hearts of any sympathetic audience. Who knows ‘mdash; it might just pull its self-titled band from the trenches of one-hit wonder obscurity.
Led on a whirlwind comeback tour through Europe by eccentric and long-time fan Tiziani Arrigoni, Anvil faces a string of obstacles that might’ve made any other, less motivated, less ‘destined’ band admit self-defeat. Count them off: disgruntled Eastern European bar owners, missed trains, strained friendships and burned bridges.
Nostalgic, handheld cinema-verite style camerawork is probably a direct tribute to 1984 cult mockumentary, ‘This Is Spinal Tap.’ It does the film justice, permitting audiences to explore the world of backstage confrontations and dressing-room drama.
It’s only when director Sacha Gervasi goes deeper ‘mdash; juxtaposing Kudlow and Reiner’s nine-to-five blue-collar environments with old concert footage and interviews with their respective families ‘mdash; that the impact blurs, with a biting sense of disappointment and frustration.
Ultimately, its Gervasi’s ability to excavate the honest, extensive and tumultuous relationship between Kudlow and Reiner that allows ‘Anvil’ to transcend Laguna Beach reality-show sentimentalism and tug our emotions. ‘I won’t let you jump off a cliff, I’ll stop you,’ says Reiner, after Kudlow goes on a divisive rant. Then his voice falters, the tears collect and Kudlow approachs with open arms.
It’s at moments like these that Gervasi’s’ keen eye for heartfelt breakthrough lifts ‘Anvil’ from simple revelation to solemn reflection ‘mdash; as the audience hangs at the edge of their seat, hoping for a big comeback.
‘Anvil’ is by no means your typical VH1 recap. Instead, its unpretentious artistry pays tribute to the music industry’s life-or-death conflicts ‘mdash; propelling the boys to the edge of stardom and tearing them down just as rapidly.