It looks like 2009 is set to spoil us with great films. Anvil follows the story of two friends both in their 50s: Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow (guitar and vocals) and the eerily named ‘Robb Reiner’ (drums) in their ceaseless quest for their band Anvil to earn the heavy metal glory they believe they so richly deserve. Having had a taste of the big time in the ’80s when Anvil toured with bands like Bon Jovi and The Scorpions, fans expected the band to break like similar heavy rock acts did at the time, but Anvil just never did. It’s a similar tale to that of Anton Newcombe’s Brian Jonestown Massacre as covered in the film target=”_blank”>Dig; only with spandex-clad, bondage-garbed Dulux dogs of men in place of smack-addled, coat-stand thin, ’60s inspired stoners.
Now, just because it’s about a heavy metal band, it doesn’t mean that you have to like or even understand the genre to watch this film. The same principles that drive and crush the band apply across any sphere. It’s about following and living ‘the dream’. Yes, all very quixotic and hippy-esque stuff – but if you thought that a film like (the heavily overhyped) Slumdog Millionaire was “feel-good”, Anvil is going to make your heart throw up.
The plot of the film so closely mirrors classic rockumentary target=”_blank”>This is Spinal Tap, I spent the first 20 minutes wondering if Anvil was, in fact, real. It doesn’t take much longer than that, however, to understand that it is. Much like Mickey Rourke’s Wrestler, all band members work day jobs. Kudlow works as a driver for a caterer and it’s uncanny to see him handling food with a hair net on much like Randy “The Ram” does in between wrestling bouts. Reiner seems to be in some sort of construction industry, but I only infer that as I recall seeing him using a drill half his size to break a stack of bricks apart. Maybe he’s an architect. I doubt it.
In tracking down British producer Chris Tsangarides to record their 13th album, 13 (I was going to say you couldn’t make it up – but Guest et al already did) – the band ‘self-finance’ their ‘best sounding’ recording with £13,000 of Kudlow’s sister’s money. Failing to secure a major label deal means the band have to self-release the album. yielding spectacular results.
Directed by long-time fan and one-time Anvil roadie, Sacha Gervasi, this is a compelling portrait of a life on the outskirts of stardom. Of course, it is filled with all the drama and sadness you would expect from being in a band, but the sheer passion of Kudlow in particular is enough to affect even the stoniest of hearts. With the band working on their 14th album, Anvil is a beautiful testament to friendship and a plaitive paean to music – one that is turned to all the way to 11.
Anvil play the Download festival later this year, and you can even buy Anvil’s latest album to help Lips recoup his sister’s cash here.
11/10
