It took nearly two decades of supporting work for John C. Reilly to become a leading man. Riding the seemingly unbreakable Judd Apatow and hit streak, Reilly could catapult into stardom with Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. The versatile actor recently performed in character in anticipation of the film’s release.
Working from a script by director Jake Kasdan and Apatow, Reilly flexes his comedic muscles in Walk Hard, and the results, though a bit too scatological and over the top, are consistently funny.
The film is a loving parody of Hollywood rock doc/biopics, with an emphasis on skewering Walk the Line and Ray. Like Spinal Tap’s greatest hits, the music of Dewey Cox is wisely structured around catchy pop songs, and the fact that the lyrics are funny is secondary.
The story follows Cox’s early years as a bubblegum sensation, his Dylan-esque protest period, his acid-fried Brian Wilson phase, and his washed-up novelty act twilight years. As it unfolds, Reilly plays the character with a loving sincerity and affection and never winks at the audience. The supporting cast is excellent, and cameos include Harold Ramis as a rabbinical talent scout and Jack White as a kung-fu-crazed Elvis.
At the Chicago premiere in December, Reilly beamed with nervous energy as he thanked the city for all the support it has shown him over the years. After the movie, buses took the audience to The Cubby Bear for a private performance by Dewey Cox and The Hard Walkers.
Reilly, in full Cox regalia and greased pompadour, performed like a true rock star. The band was tight and Reilly played all his character’s hits, from the Johnny Cash-inspired rebel anthem “Guilty as Charged” to the sweetly obscene “Let’s Duet.” In the latter of the two, Reilly croons instantly classic verses “In my dreams, you’re blowing me…some kisses,” and “I’m gonna beat off…my demons.”
As Reilly sweated and swaggered through the set, which included a rocking version of Muddy Waters’ “Got My Mojo Working,” male and female audience members chanted, “We want Cox! We want Cox!”
– Drew Fortune
Walk Hard: www.walkhard-movie.com
Sony Pictures: www.sonypictures.com