Culture

Rock of Ages is a musical adapted from a popular Broadway show, set amidst the turbulent atmosphere of sex, drugs, and rock‘n’roll in the 1980s. The film follows small-town girl Sherrie (Julianne Hough) and aspiring rock star Drew (Diego Boneta), both wannabe singers lured in by the seductive Miami strip who find themselves working at the rockers’ iconic stomping ground, The Bourbon.

At The Bourbon we meet an unlikely mashup of celebrities. Alec Baldwin plays retired groupie Dennis, and the quirky Russell Brand plays his loyal homosexual sidekick, Lonny. Prior to seeing Rock of Ages, no prospect was more disturbing than Tom Cruise donning skin tight leather pants and an overtly sexual disposition. However, in a pleasant surprise, Cruise completely immerses himself into the role of the legendary figure Stacee Jaxx. Cruise does justice to the likes of Def Leppard, Poison and Bon Jovi by completely transforming himself from a dried-up Scientologist to a rock‘n’roll god. I can’t say I didn’t love it when Cruise re-enacted the legendary “Pour Some Sugar on Me”, complete with the classic rockstar knee slide.

Rock of Ages not only features an A-list cast, it also draws on the most recognised songs in rock — a refreshing revival of a genre that appears to be dead in today’s pop-obsessed culture. Although not a rock‘n’roll groupie myself, I still thoroughly enjoyed Rock of Ages and its upbeat take on “real” music. The real test will be whether Def Leppard and Poison kids of the 80s warm to it.

3.5/5 Stars