Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

The life of “music legend” Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly), from his poor Southern youth to his rise to the top of the music world, substance abuse, personal problems … you get the idea. The script by Judd Apatow and director Jake Kasdan, a roguish parody of pop-idol biopics (especially Walk the Line), is an off-and-on thing that might have worked better as an hour-long HBO special. But it’s on more than off, with some infectious musical moments (the songs during Dewey’s “Bob Dylan phase” are flat-out hilarious) and several bizarro star cameos (Jack Black as Paul McCartney!). Best of all is John C. Reilly’s performance, a musico-comic tour de force that keeps us hooked—even when we’re tapping our feet with impatience rather than with the music. Be sure to stay through the credits for a great parting shot.