Prey for Rock & Roll

Prey for Rock & Roll is a 2003 American drama music film directed by Alex Steyermark. The screenplay was developed by Cheri Lovedog and Robin Whitehouse. The rebellious, star-studded cast numbers Gina Gershon, Lori Petty, Marc Blucas, and Shelly Cole. The movie delves deep into the gritty, tumultuous world of punk rock music while also exploring profound themes of loyalty, sacrifice, ambition, and the challenging reality of dreams versus harsh reality.

Leading the movie is Gina Gershon famous for her roles in "Face/Off" and "Bound." Herein, she brilliantly portrays Jacki, the edgy and ambitious fifty-year-old frontrunner of the punk rock band all-girl band named Clamdaddy. She lends not only her acting skills but also her singing talent. Trouble brews when her drive to succeed in the music industry continues to meet failure. She contemplates whether she should withdraw from the industry that constantly prefers the younger, the new. The movie chronicles Jacki's struggle to balance her passion for music with the harsh realities of life.

Lori Petty, celebrated for her role in "A League of Their Own," takes up the role of Faith, Jacki's loyal bandmate and best friend. Unlike Jacki, Faith is optimistic and hopeful about their band's future. Petty's character lends emotional depth to the film by becoming the poster child for relentless hope in the face of uncertainty.

Marc Blucas, recognized for his roles in the Buffy The Vampire Slayer, enters the scene as Animal, Jacki's much younger lover. The relationship with Jacki adds a different dynamic to the movie portraying the bittersweet saga of age-gap love, populated with tenderness, and issues that change the course of Jacki's life.

The band also includes Tracy (played by Drea de Matteo) and Sally (played by Shelly Cole) as the remaining members of Clamdaddy. Each character in Prey for Rock & Roll is well defined and, importantly, deeply flawed, quilting together an authentic portrayal of struggling artists.

From the very first scenes, the film thrusts us right into the underworld of the LA punk rock scene. It doesn't shy away from the darker corners of the music industry, nor does it gloss over the struggles that come with a life in music, especially for a woman. It puts female musicians at its heart and takes us on a wild journey through their lives – the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.

Musically, the movie authentically captures the spirit of the punk rock scene, featuring an electrifying soundtrack that blares loudly throughout the movie. The inclusion of original music provides an authentic backbone to the film. It's not just a movie about musicians; it's a movie that feels like it was made by musicians.

As the title might suggest, Prey for Rock & Roll is both a homage to and critique of the music industry. It's a sincere and realistic depiction of the trials and tribulations of aspiring musicians hoping to make it big, or, at least, make a living. It's about the disillusionment that comes along with pursuing one's dreams, especially when those dreams are as volatile and precarious as those in the music world.

Prey For Rock & Roll serves as a poignant examination of ambition and friendship within the framework of the teeming punk rock scene in Los Angeles. It’s a raw, entertaining snapshot of the hopes, dreams, and disappointments in the music world, all seen through the eyes of a veteran punk rocker who has given it all.

While the narrative is enveloped in music, and the story pivots around a punk-rock band, the band's journey is not intended to represent every musician's experience. Instead, it offers a specific perspective on the often crude reality of striving to stay a functioning unit in an industry that commodifies art.

Prey for Rock & Roll is gritty, loud, proud, unapologetic, and brimming with attitude. Drawing deeply from its punk rock roots, the film masterfully handles its central themes of ageism, ambition, love, and the thirst for recognition in a highly competitive environment. More than being a film about rock and roll, it is about individuals who live, chase, and dedicate their lives to it, making it a must-watch for all who have a heart for an off-beat drama.