Global Heresy (2002)

Wonderful character development!

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Lord Charles and Lady Diana Foxley have a spectacular house in England, and servants Benson and Margaret. But they can't afford to continue their magnificent lifestyle unless they make some changes.Benson and Margaret are given time off, and Charles and Diana pose as Benson and Margaret as they rent out the house. An American rock band known as Global Heresy need some quiet time away from the spotlight, and this house will do nicely. The kids act pretty much the way one would expect at first, expecting the servants to do everything for them and bossing them around like they are entitled to whatever they want.When the kids play their loud music, Charles cannot believe this is what passes for music (I agree with Charles, and unlike the stuffy aristocrat, I never changed my mind about this; nevertheless, the kids have talent). Diana is willing to be hip, though. Eventually, the kids treat them like human beings and even help them do their jobs better.A couple of dramas are going on in the meantime. Natalie is the band's new bassist after Ben disappeared mysteriously, and she is trying too hard to make a contribution. Some band members just wish she would leave things alone, but others like what she adds to the group, particularly in the area of songwriting.The band's management want to control the music, while the kids think their new contract will allow them to. But the people in charge don't believe the kids' vision of their music is what will make the most money. James, the man in charge of keeping the band happy, is working undercover to sabotage the band's efforts.There is actually a third drama: Charles' nerdy but attractive niece shows up to work on a science project and is discovered skinny-dipping. She and her uncle don't get along, but one of the band members seems to have a crush.Peter O'Toole and Joan Plowright both give fine performances. Plowright especially stands out because her character is so caring. No, this is not the sort of movie either would be known for. But I don't imagine most of us who like this sort of movie would be easily persuaded to see their best work. The other actors are good, for this sort of movie. Alicia Silverstone is different from some of the other characters I've seen her play, but still talented.If anything, the movie was too short. I would have like to see more story development.One gag that never worked for me: the evil paperboy. However, when Charles finally got his revenge ... see, the kids didn't know what was actually going on.It's formula, but I like the formula.

"Global Heresy" a/k/a "Rock My World" is an odd little ($12 Million) production that was incorrectly marketed as another "Spinal Tap". I've seen "Spinal Tap" and this is no ......... But what it lacks in comedy it makes up in unpretentious charm. You wonder what idiot determines the target audience for these productions. With Alicia Silverstone posed in tight silver pants on the poster, they tried unsuccessfully to market it to Gen X viewers; but Alicia has at best a small supporting role and never appears in the pictured outfit so it is no surprise that it did not catch on with that demographic. Peter O'Toole and Joan Plowright play the two main characters and they are unlikely to attract young viewers. Baby boomers are the audience most likely to connect with the film, despite a cast that is a mix of actors older and younger than that group. But boomers are the real rock fans and are old enough to appreciate the subtle script and the underplayed performances of O'Toole and Plowright. Too bad it was not originally marketed to that group. The original ill-conceived title refers to the name of an American rock band whose founder has disappeared and is feared dead. Needing time to integrate his replacement (bass player Silverstone) into the group, their management company rents an English estate from the impoverished Lord and Lady Foxley where they can secretly rework their material. The couple finds out that they can make even more money by impersonating the servants. Much the same premise as "High Spirits", where O'Toole rented his haunted Irish castle to tourists. The band members like to party but are basically likable young people and their music is actually pretty good. O'Toole's character starts out as a Lionel Barrymore type curmudgeon but eventually loosens up (big surprise). The two disparate groups learn a lot from each other and the film almost crosses the line into sappy city. Fortunately Plowright manages to hold things together with a performance that nicely grounds things and makes the whole concept seem plausible. On the plus side the film was nicely shot and has an overall great look to it. And there is a nice bit of misdirection concerning the record company executive that you might or might not see coming-the clues are there but you might miss them. On the minus side there is an extremely weak homage to George Roy Hill's "Funny Farm"; instead of a speeding mailman "Rock My World" has a Mini driver paperboy who terrorizes O'Toole's character. This bit is not funny the first time and is repeated on countless occasions throughout the film. Bottom line, "Rock My World" is a good watch for boomers. Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

This movie is called "Rock My World" in Canada. It is wrought with absurd cliché's. The sweet innocent band versus the conniving commercial oriented meanie from the record label. The band is purportedly an uberfamous "rock" act, but the songs are corny (think an angry richard marx with a guitar). The band seems more like the ARchies than they do smashing pumpkins...in short its a kids movie, innocent and harmless. Admittedly I enjoyed it, it has some funny one liners and the freshness of youthful rebellion has some appeal to the dreamy inner child, granted the ego is able to get over the silly plot, and enjoy the movie. THe guys are cute, and I was surprised that Alicia silverstone was convincing as a bassist and seems to have finally outgrown the clueless curse/aura. Joan & Peter O'toole ensure the film has class and quality, and are a delight to watch.A fun family surprise. Very easy to poke fun, but I have the thing on tape. Go figure.

$3.99 at Wal-Mart, compared with Almost Famous and Spinal Tap and starring Peter O'toole & Joan Plowright. I had to buy it, even though I knew it had to be straight to video crap. HOW SURPRISED I WAS!!!While certainly not up to the level of Almost Famous or Puppet Show (I mean, Spinal Tarp), we were pleasantly surprised to find a small gem of a movie. No great "blow you away" music, but it was extremely interesting music to listen too, especially the piano duet with Joan Plowright. Augmentation heaven! Peter O'toole, one of my all time faves, gives an extremely uneven performance, but I chalk it up to terrible directing more than him. There are moments he and the dialogue shine. Although few, the interactions with his niece are extremely moving, and seeing him taking XTC is a trip! And while this is not Shakespeare, Joan Plowright shows you how talented she really is. I kept thinking of the mom from That 70's Show.Alicia Silverstone plays the bassist / new member of the band. While she is obviously not a musician, she does a pretty admirable job, in fact, all the band actors come across as actual musicians, in their goofy mannerisms and dialogue... Alicia has the laid back / uber talented bassist thing down pat, IMO. ESPECIALLY for $3.99, I highly recommend this movie. a few warnings... 1) The DVD quality is terrible 2) The cinematography is terrible. 3) The very famous director seems like he couldn't have cared less for this production, which is a real shame. 4) The music is by a band called Casino. 5) There is no soundtrack. But there is a Yahoo group. Go figure...