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Hardly a blockbuster, Alex Steyermark's debut feature Prey for Rock & Rock & Roll is a film curio based on the career of a real-life, all-girl punk rock band going by the quite spectacular name of Clamdandy. The group are led by bisexual singer and tattooist Cheri Lovedog, played by Showgirls' Gina Gershon (who also produced the film), a woman who dreamt all her life of being a rock star but is now wondering - on the cusp of her 40th birthday and with fame no nearer after two decades of lugging equipment – whether it's time to hang up her guitar for good. As the singer frets about rocking into middle age, her trust-fund bassist (Drea de Matteo) slips into addiction and the strained relationship between the band's two lovers—guitarist (Lori Petty) and drummer (Shelly Cole)—threatens to envelop them all. It's at this point when most rock movies quickly slide into sloppy, sentimental cliche, but to the cast and director's credit Prey… dispenses with the obvious rags to riches story in favour of something altogether grimier and less glamorous. Chilly – literally and emotionally – rehearsal spaces, egotistical producers, violent boyfriends and clinging girlfriends all feature prominently and, were it not for the hideous ‘songs' that are thrown in far too often, Prey for Rock & Roll could be heading for the top of the charts. |
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Prey for Rock & Roll (certificate 15)