Peter Cattaneo MBE is probably best known for his hit film, "The Full Monty." But here, he really utilizes top character actors and actresses to create some memorable and humorous moments. Rainn Wilson maybe the star but he's not alone. Jeff Garlin and Jane Lynch plays his brother-in-law and sister. Christina Applegate plays the mom of one of the musicians. The story isn't as sweet or vulgar as one would think of today's comedies. The only questionable scene is Rainn's character is naked for the rehearsal which lands him better known as the naked drummer. The beginning is humorous with Fred Armesen and Will Arnett as members of Vesuvius who ditched the drummer, Robert Fishman (Rain's character) right on the verge of stardom. Fish retrieves to having a somewhat normal life even has a normal girlfriend played for a few minutes by Jane Krakowski. Jason Sudekis plays the band's manager. Howard Hesseman plays their RV driver. I loved the casting of this film because of all the familiar faces. Jane Lynch is one of my favorite actresses because she can be both dramatic and comedic at once. This film is rated PG-13 and I think it has to do with that one nude scene but apart from that. They really have a message about working together as a team. This film wouldn't have been made without the teamwork of the cast and crew itself.

The Rocker is a hugely enjoyable comedy about a man who gets a second chance at life and rock and roll. For Ranin Wilson those terms are interchangeable.

Back in the 80s the rising band Versuvius was told they had to chuck their drummer in order to get a big break. Wilson got the heave ho much the same way Peter Best got it when Ringo Starr replaced him as drummer for the Beatles. Best became the answer to a much asked trivia question and we know what happened to those guys from Liverpool and their new drummer.

Flash forward to the new century and these kids who do their music thing in the garage lose their drummer. Josh Gad remembers that back in the day his uncle Ranin Wilson was a drummer so Wilson joins Gad and his band mates Emma Stone and Teddy Geiger and becomes part of their band.

It's quite a rocky road and the band's first gig at the high school prom ends in disaster. But Wilson starts fitting in with the kids and the mixed generation band starts drawing real attention.

Wilson is totally outrageous in a part that must have been offered to Robin Williams, just the kind of material Williams used to specialize in. Christina Applegate also appears as Geiger's mom who has a rock and roll background of her own just might be a permanent romance once Wilson realizes that she is a mom first.

The climax at the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame where this band originates from is nicely staged. Wilson with some angst gets to meet the guys that dumped him. What happens to them is positively poetical.

The Rocker is a film for those who want to be young forever. Some really do make it like that. For the future Mick Jaggers of the world.

In 1986, drummer Fish (Rainn Wilson) gets dropped when the president of the label wants to replace him with his nephew. Twenty years later, the band has become legendary success while he gets fired from his pointless job. He but really his girlfriend Carol breaks up his relationship. He's forced to live with his sister Lisa and her family. His nerdy nephew Matt (Josh Gad) has a garage band with Amelia (Emma Stone) and Curtis (Teddy Geiger). They lose their drummer and are forced to ask Fish to play with them at prom. It doesn't go well and he goes to apologize. He meets Curtis' mother Kim (Christina Applegate). Lisa kicks Fish out of the house and then their practice with a naked Fish goes viral.

Rainn Wilson is terrific playing this character. He's been playing the same self-delusional slightly-angry loud-mouthed damaged character. The greatness comes from the fact that he's still likable while being a jerk. Sure, it's formulaic sweetness and copying other movies like 'School of Rock'. I don't see that as a defect. The three kids are well cast. Geiger is a good tortured lead and he can sing too. Emma Stone is the adorably dark Emma Stone. Josh Gad is a great nerd.