Movie Review: Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story by ME

Title: Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Starring: John C. Reilly, Jenna Fischer, Kristen Wiig, Tim Meadows, Raymond J. Barry
Directed By: Jake Kasdan
Produced By: Lewis Morton, Judd Apatow, Jake Kasdan
Genre: Comedy, Musical/Performing Arts and Biopic
Running Time: 1 hr. 36 min.
Release Date: December 21st, 2007 (wide)
MPAA Rating: R for sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use and language.
Distributors: Sony Pictures Releasing

My Rating: 7 out of 10

Dewey Cox knows the blues. From a childhood accident that left his brother cut in half to two failed marriages, from a father who shuns him to an evil addiction to drugs, Dewey feels the blues. This is his story.

Sounds like a biopic like Walk The Line doesn't it? Well, if you have been hiding under a rock the last few weeks and haven't seen any of the ads for Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, then let me tell you, it isn't. Walk Hard parodies Walk The Line and many other biopics. With sight gags that go beyond the crowning scene in Knocked Up to witty phrasings in song, Walk Hard is a solid effort that falls just shy of the mark made by Team Apatow's earlier efforts. That's not to say that it isn't a funny film, but it lacks the heart of Superbad, Knocked Up and The 40 Year Old Virgin.



Maybe I am putting too much blame on Apatow. Jake Kasdan, the director, could still be considered a little wet behind the ears with only Walk Hard, The TV Set, Orange County and Zero Effect under his belt film wise. To give him credit where deserved, he also directed a few episodes of Freaks and Geeks, the cult classic TV show that was the launching point for many of Apatow's regulars.



John C. Reilly really doesn't seem to be the kind of actor that should be able to play the lead in any film, and he covers that fact well. Reilly also wrote and sang most of the music in the film, which is quite impressive on it's own. What really helps is the supporting cast, most of which are familiar. Jenna Fischer, Kristen Wiig, Tim Meadows, David Krumholtz, Harold Ramis, Martin Starr and a few more all add their little pieces that add up to help Reilly make Walk Hard a decent comedy. Some nice cameos as well. Look for Frankie Muniz as Buddy Holly and Jack White as Elvis. And the best, Jack Black, Jonathan Schwartzman, Paul Rudd and Justin Long as The Beatles.



Final thoughts – While not one I would buy for my collection, Walk Hard is, at it's core, a funny movie that delivers the laughs, but falls short in character development. And I must warn you, there are a few shots of male full frontal nudity along with very suggestive, but very funny, lyrics in a few of the songs.

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Mitch Emerson
mitchemerson@hotmail.com