Devil Horns
Keep on rocking in the free (or not so well paid) world!
In this documentary we get an insight into the past and present of 'Demi-gods of Canadian metal', Anvil (me either!). The band apparantly had a brief stint in the limelight in the early 1980's, touring with the likes of Bon Jovi and Whitesnake before inexplicably dissapearing from both the fringes of the mainstream and the consciousness of all but their most devoted of (undenyably odd) fans. This movie successfully highlights what happens to a band once it's peers all move on to bigger things, the high profile stadium gigs dry up and it's time to either roll over and quit or face a humble career of general indifference and obscurity.
Director Sacha Gervasi has put together a narrative with infectious fanboy enthusiasm (not suprising having previously been a roadie for Anvil in their heyday). He skillfully keeps the viewer at the core of the bands continued motivation (Anvil doesn't do rolling over and quitting!) as we follow a year or so in the bands life as they embark on a farcical European tour, the run up to the recording of their 13th album and umpteenth misguidedly naieve bid to regain the level of fame they experienced 25 years previously.
The glue to the story is very much the long term friendship between Steve 'Lips' Kudrow(singer) and Robb Reiner(drummer). These two are the remaining fouding members of the band who have stuck together throughout the slender years and even though they now both into their 50's show no signs of wanting to give up on the dreams they share together. As a testiment to true friendship, seeing the brotherly devotion that they display towards eachother is nothing short of genuinely touching. Even those who may not be disposed towards the bands music would have to be beyond cynical to not get something refreshingly inspirational out of spending some time in this duo's company as they rally onwards together.
At the heart of this movie (and the band themselves) is a resolve that even when things look at their most bleak, never give up on looking for the next possitive and certainly never take yourself too seriously. As a result the numerous nods to Spinal Tap peppered within (speakers to 11, trips to Stonehenge, come back gigs in Japan etc) always feel like intentionally playful compliments rather than snide cheap shots and serve only to bring another level of warmth and humour to the procedings.
After watching this movie it would be hard not to wish both Gervasi and Anvil the success that it seems to have ironically bought upon them, as they certainly deserve it. Even if it turns out to be nothing more than another '15 minutes' it cetainly looks like these guys are gonna soak up every last second of it this time around!
ps. If it were an option I would have certainly not hesitated in throwing up the 'devil horns' and rating this movie a hard rockin' 11/10! ;)
