Reviews

This film, set on the campus of the University of Michigan, makes the U look as good as it really is. Yes, I'm an alum, so I'm biased, but the story is well written, the cast well-chosen, and the direction excellent. The minor revelation of a secret identity is a great way to end this film. The professor who plays the father of the story's lead is an actual professor (now emeritus). He is held in high esteem by the many students whose lives he touched. It was a stroke of genius to build this role around him. Then, again, maybe it was so obvious, it wasn't genius at all. The film captures the procrastination and angst so many doctoral candidates suffer as they try to complete their theses. If you ever went there, you'll identify with this film. If you ever attended or visited the University of Michigan or wanted to, you'll find that aspect alone worth the trip to Answer This!

I loved this film and laughed all the way through. My wife liked it, too, but she's so sick of me talking about it that she has forbidden me to mention it any more. So I'm writing this tribute here.

Silly jokes based on a deep knowledge of the history of pop music and thorough research into the musician biopic format. Silly songs with great tunes written by skilled professionals who nail their targets perfectly. And nudity just for the sake of nudity (Judd Apatow admitted as much in an interview). This film breaks no new ground--it wasn't meant to--it's a hilarious story told using a language taken from many earlier films--both funny and serious. And it succeeds admirably. The jokes are even funnier if you started listening to music and watching films in the 50's--there were many times when only the older people in the audience were laughing. Other IMDb reviewers disparage the repetitive jokes--I thought they were well executed.

After listening to the CD hundreds of times in my car (darn, I wish I could sing as well as John C. Reilly) I was overjoyed to learn there's an extended sound track on iTunes with twice as many songs, but missing the David Bowie Starman song on the original CD. Some of these songs didn't make it into the theatrical release but are still great.

I'm totally hooked on "Beautiful Ride," the song Dewey sings in his triumphant last concert at the end of the film. Even though it has a lot of silly lyrics like the rest of the songs, I found it very moving and staged perfectly by director Jake Kasdan. And as in every other song John C. Reilly recorded for this project, his big voice really shines, Here's some of the lyrics for that song:

'Cause when all is said and done. When youth is spent and burned. You'll see what it's all about: Music! Flowers! Babies! Sharing the good times! Traveling not just for business! Accepting your mortality! This is finally what I've learned!

Thank you, Mr. Kasdan, for a great and continuing experience. I can't wait to see how you expand your comedic epic when you make my DVD!