The storyline is simple; a band trying to get their big break. But the presentation is original.

Likely, none of the actor’s names ring any bells. They are all Australian actors, none of whom have made the transition to Hollywood such as fellow Aussies Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman. But you may be trying to place where you’ve heard the name Alex Proyas before. If so, let me spare you the agony of racking your brain or flipping over to IMDb; he recently directed “I, Robot.” Prior to that, he directed several other films, including Dark City and The Crow.

While I chose to pass on seeing “I, Robot” in the theater, Dark City and The Crow definitely are among the list of my favorite films. It’s nice to see Proyas using lighting and color in this film. However, that is to be expected, as this film is a comedy – an outrageously hilarious comedy. Proyas’ cinematography is awesome. He uses slow-motion shots to define character’s inner monologues and the results are stunning.

But the characters themselves are what make the film so great. Each character is uniquely funny in his or herself: Freddy – the lead singer and a hopeless romantic; Tanya – the bass player and psychology major; Joe – the lead guitarist and a bit loony; Lucius a.k.a. Lucy – the drummer and self-taught pharmacist.

Freddy dreams of making it big. Tanya is constantly searching for ways to alleviate her sexual frustrations without sacrificing her feminist views. Joe – well, let’s just say Joe has issues. And Lucy is trying to find his perfect 10 – in a drug, that is. And the interaction between the characters increases the hilarity.

Mixed in with the band is Bruno, the band’s manager; Kate, girlfriend of Joe but object of desire of Freddy; and Kevin, Joe’s dad who is an ex-rocker of pretty moderate fame. A lot of the drama centers on Freddy and Kate, and Joe and Tanya. Freddy was dating Tanya, and Joe was dating Kate, but Freddy and Kate kissed, but Kate is pregnant with Joe’s baby… It’s not as soap opera as it sounds, really. But a lot of the comedy comes from that, too, as does Bruno and his constant short-comings as a manager and Kevin who is rarely, if ever, seen with a shirt on or without a bowl of Corn Flakes.

Even if you don’t fall in love with the characters or the cinematography, one scene alone is worth watching. The band, trying to get money for a demo tape, decides to ask Tanya’s parents. They have them over for dinner. Lucy makes everyone a little nerve-calming cocktail. Unfortunately, he mixed up his droppers and placed LSD in the mix instead of low-grade ecstasy. We get to see what each character sees once the acid kicks in. This includes Tanya’s head being on fire, Lucy as a demon and Tanya’s parents in a musical number to the tune of Rick James’ “Superfreak.” Priceless! Joe skipped the cocktail, but he seems just as crazy since he’s carrying around a melon with a face in an attempt to show he can be fatherly. He even changes its diapers. I love it!

Even the extras are great. There are some behind-the-scenes and interviews. But they are shorter and funnier than most. The bloopers (referred to here as goofs) are actually funny, unlike many bloopers on most DVDs these days.

The music in the film is great, especially if you’re an AC/DC fan (and I am). Other music includes Tom Jones, The Cure, various punk and new wave, and of course, Rick James. Basically, it’s a great story with awesome characters, spectacular cinematography and a groovy soundtrack. Definitely worth the $3.50 or whatever rentals go for these days.

Grade: A+

Starring: Kick Gurry, Maya Stange, Pia Miranda, Russell Dykstra, Brett Stiller, Chris Sadrinna
Written by: Alex Proyas
Directed by: Alex Proyas

Taryn can be contacted at tas75@comcast.net