Rock n' Roll Nerd (2008)

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

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.

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.

This movie showed the benefit of a director and a producer being in the right place at the right time and choosing a wildfire talent.I liked the way the movie was edited so that you got quite an intimate view of Tim's life without intruding too far. I also liked the regular inclusion of Tim's performances. He really is audacious, controversial and thoughtful in his work.The progression thru the Edniburgh festival was exciting to watch as Tim's success unfurled. The love between the Tim and his wife also seemed sincere and passionate and was captured clearly.The originality of the movie stems from the fact that film-makers started to capture the story before the subject had succeeded and became famous. Many films show a retrospective view of a star's success this one captured the birth of his career.

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.