Roadie Directed by: Michael Cuesta Starring: Ron Eldard, Bobby Cannavale, Jill Hennessy Rating: Not Yet Rated Release Date: January 6, 2012
TRAILER SCORE: 8/10
Thoughts by TSR: I will admit I kind of scoffed at the plot synopsis of this film when I first read it. That reaction is partially because whenever Blue Öyster Cult is involved my mind immediately goes to the classic “More Cowbell” sketch from “Saturday Night Live” with Christopher Walken and Will Ferrell. All that quickly faded away, however, as I was watching this trailer for Roadie. Director Michael Cuesta looks to have garnered very strong performances from his cast, and crafted a very good film in the process.
The most reassuring part of this trailer is that it doesn’t appear to have taken the easy way out. A story along these lines could easily have been told as a glossy studio film about the good ol’ days and how much fun people in the music scene have all the time. Under those circumstances the cast would likely be filled with stars, but it wouldn’t have taken any chances. Fortunately, Cuesta looks to have avoided that. This story of a roadie returning home after many years feels raw and honest, featuring strong work from Ron Eldard, Bobby Cannavale, and especially Jill Hennessy (where has she been since “Crossing Jordan”?)
I don’t except that Roadie is going to be a highly successful film when it hits theaters in January. This isn’t the type of commercial project that is destined to set the box office ablaze. But it does seem like the kind of diamond in the rough that those who are lucky enough to see it will be glad to have done so.