Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Starring John C. Reilly, Jenna Fischer & Kristen Wiig

"Knocked Up," "Superbad," and "Walk Hard" are the trio of films produced by Judd Apatow (he also wrote "Knocked Up" & "Walk Hard" and directed the first). So, in a year of Apatow, a closer examination of the three will bring us a review of the last: "Walk Hard." "Knocked Up" brought us laugh after laugh of showing us humor. "Superbad" was all about ridiculous dialogue. While "Walk Hard" knocks off the biopics, giving us both physical and dialogue humor. However, it wasn't as good as either of the summer hits, and why it's nominated for a Golden Globe is beyond me.

It's lead man, John C. Reilly, put so much of himself into the character of Dewey Cox that it was both hilarious and too much all at the same time. Now, don't get me wrong - I laughed a lot during "Walk Hard," but in retrospect, I can't really remember why. Nothing sticks with the film. It's too elongated in time (not the running time) and covers too much history to feel right.

Other than Reilly, my favorite performance was Kristen Wiig as Edith, Dewey's first wife. Creating a comedic side to the infringed wife of Johnny Cash in "Walk the Line," Wiig brings true absurdity to her disheveled life with Cox. She's the only supporting performer that is both funny and true to the role. Wiig and Reilly relate stupidity to reality. Jenna Fischer, on the other hand, is just trying to have fun, but grounds herself in an amateur performance. But she's still super hot.

All in all, "Walk Hard" was a funny, ridiculous epic biopic tracking the life of Dewey Cox: made up rock star. Oh, it has a descent soundtrack (I guess) and The Beatles scene in India is the best part of the film, thanks to George (Justin Long), Paul (Jack Black), Ringo (Jason Schwartzman) and Mr. John Lennon (Paul Rudd).

Grade: B-