Rock n' Roll Nerd
Rock n' Roll Nerd
| 06 November 2008 (USA)
Rock n' Roll Nerd Trailers

ROCK N ROLL NERD is an intimate tale that charts Tim Minchin’s meteoric rise from obscurity to celebrity. Capturing every moment of Tim’s first frenzied break onto the comedy scene the documentary weaves never-before-seen performance footage, backstage antics, home footage and candid interviews into a funny and deeply personal story of love and ambition.

Reviews
Tedfoldol

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

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pointyfilippa

The movie runs out of plot and jokes well before the end of a two-hour running time, long for a light comedy.

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Tyreece Hulme

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

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Matylda Swan

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

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The Couchpotatoes

I didn't know Tim Minchin before watching this documentary. I just looked up 'stand-up comedians' and came across his name. So when I started watching this documentary I thought I was going to watch a stand-up comedy which it obviously isn't, that's my bad. The first half hour I was wondering if his act would just be singing and playing piano. And that's what it is, music brought with humor or vice versa. I wished I saw one of his shows first before watching this documentary so I could have a better opinion wether I like that kind of performances or not. I'm inclined to say that that is not my kind of thing because in movies I hate musicals, never watch them because I just can't stand it. So I have doubts that I will like his singing shows. But the documentary itself was getting better towards the end, when you kinda grow with the person, and watch how he becomes a well known artist starting from nothing. He seems like a nice simple guy in daily life. In the documentary they show some footage from his shows, and some example of his wrong offensive humor so I'm curious about it. Because wrong offensive humor is something I do like, just not sure about the singing. I guess I'll just have to watch one of his shows to have a honest opinion about the comedy level.

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jcmcgee

This "movie" just felt like a marketing tool for Tim Minchin...it felt terribly fake....the most obviously dumb bit was his show at Gilded Balloon...this is the most famous comedy venue at the most famous comedy festival in the world and the movie tried to play it like a little show in Edinburgh.I must admit that I don't find Tim Minchin funny...everything from his overworked & "borrowed" appearance* to his rather lame and empty comedy. His songs are a kinda lazy trick found very commonly in the slam or performance poetry world of simply finding a list that rhymes...I've heard that his live shows have a lot more trad' stand up and is actually above average...I wish a little more of this had been shown...this fact again makes me think the whole thing was a well constructed marketing ploy....get the songs in peoples heads and then get them to buy the comedy...people seem to find songs funnier on repeat than jokes....clever, but marketing none the less.Well acted (I think it was acted) and well made...worth a watch, but I hope you see through it.*Yeah..I know he addresses this in the movie, but that to me also feels fake and I wonder if the re-styling was even his idea?

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stella_roza

I've re-watched this movie several times now and not sure quite what makes it so mesmerising. I think it's Minchin's honesty, the trust that he so clearly has in the director and the amount of investment, dedication, focus and application for a project which, at several points in the journey, everyone must have thought would never come to fruition. That, and the transformation that Minchin goes through. The superficial make-over and changes to his appearance are one thing but more fundamentally, the passionately coveted affirmation transforms him from the hugely talented but nervously trying too hard comedic singer songwriter into the relaxed, confident, accomplished performer he is today. And star he has undoubtedly become, seemingly effortlessly holding audiences of several thousand spellbound. I can't help wondering if Rhian Skirving's relentless faith in him somehow contributed to his success. Minchin's career is still in its infancy. I'm certain that in years to come, this documentary will become a cult film.

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Jane Brownrigg

Pieced together from footage taken over a period of three years, Rock N Roll Nerd follows WA musician and comedian Tim Minchin. Let down technically by low-quality footage this is nonetheless an engaging portrait of Minchin's rise from obscurity to international celebrity. His funny, personal story is told through behind-the-scenes footage, home films and interviews. It's a coming of age story for Minchin both personally and professionally as it documents the hard work, calculation and transformation of his stage persona that puts him on the road to success. After being awarded the inaugural Director's Choice award at the Melbourne Comedy festival Minchin is invited to take part in the Edinburgh Fringe and we follow the difficulties and eventual triumphs of the journey. Minchin is extremely candid. He documents his whole life and his thoughts in his complexly structured comic songs and brings the same honesty to the camera. Not one to shy away from controversy Minchin doesn't mind being offensive if he really cares about the (touchy) subject he's addressing. Minchin claims to have an insatiable craving to be affirmed by more people. I think this film will build his live audiences and help to achieve just that.

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