Rock of Ages
Short description
Rock of Ages is a musical comedy set in Los Angeles in 1987, centred on Sherrie, a young woman from a small town who arrives hoping to make it in music, and Drew, a city boy chasing the same dream. They meet on the Sunset Strip and both find work at the Bourbon Room, a rock club whose future is under threat. The club's owner turns to Stacee Jaxx, a fading rock star, for a concert that could save the place, while Sherrie and Drew's relationship is tested by the pressures of the scene around them. The film is an adaptation of the Broadway musical of the same name and features rock songs of the era.
Adam Shankman directed, following Hairspray (2007) and Bedtime Stories (2008) in his filmography. Justin Theroux, Allan Loeb and Chris D'Arienzo wrote the screenplay, and Tobey Maguire was among the producers. Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta play the central couple, with Alec Baldwin as Dennis Dupree, Tom Cruise as Stacee Jaxx, Russell Brand as Lonny Barnett and Malin Åkerman as Constance Sack. The production involved 222 credited cast members and 122 credited crew.
Released in June 2012, the film runs 123 minutes. Against a budget of 75 million US dollars, it took about 59 million worldwide. On IMDb it holds 5.9 out of 10 from 84,000 votes, and on TMDB 6.2 out of 10 from 1,387 votes. A critics' rating of 5.2 out of 10 from 226 reviews places it below both audience scores.
What's left behind the scenes
- “Rock of Ages” is a film adaptation of the stage musical of the same name, based on the book by Chris D’Arienzo.
- Will Ferrell and Steve Carell were considered for the role of Dennis Dupree.
- Taylor Swift could have played Sherry, but the role went to Julianna Huff.
- Anne Hathaway and Amy Adams were offered the role of Constance, but both declined due to scheduling conflicts. Hathaway was busy filming 'The Dark Knight Rises' (2012), and Adams with 'Man of Steel' (2013). Malin Akerman, who starred in 'Watchmen' (2009), ultimately took on the role.
- Before Malin Akerman was cast, Gwyneth Paltrow and Olivia Wilde were considered for the role.
- Konstantin Marulya, who played the musical representative in this film, embodied the role of Drew Boley in the Broadway production and was nominated for 'Best Leading Actor in a Musical' at the 2009 Tony Awards for his performance.
- The scene made to look like the 'Hollywood' sign was actually filmed at a landfill in Pompano Beach, Florida.
- During a “song duel” at the club, protesters against rock – seemingly modeled after the Parents' Music Resource Center (an American public organization that introduced special stickers (Parental Advisory) on music CDs warning about content they deemed undesirable) – sing Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It.” In real life, Dee Snider, the vocalist of Twisted Sister, was one of the most outspoken critics of the PMRC and testified against the organization’s proposals at Senate hearings in September 1985.
- A Wilhelm scream can be heard when one of the “Z-guyeezz” members is thrown off the stage of “The Bourbon Room” and falls to the floor.
- When Sherry and Drew are in the music store, a copy of the original soundtrack to the film “Footloose” (1984) can be seen. Julianna Hough also starred in the remake of this film – “Footloose” (2011).
- Tom Cruise took vocal lessons for four and a half months to prepare for his role. His preparation also included push-ups and abdominal exercises.
- Gloria Estefan was considered for the role of Patricia Whitmore. She was so enthusiastic about the role that she even occasionally stood in for Catherine Zeta-Jones during script readings when she was unable to attend.
- Midway through the film, a 1990s 'Lincoln Town Car' can be spotted on busy streets, a model that did not exist in 1987.
- Drew carries a hard plastic guitar case. However, cases of this type only appeared in the 21st century.
- At one point near the 'Bourbon' club, a 1995 Chrysler LeBaron convertible can be seen (a more refined model without hidden headlights).
- In the music store, the Iron Maiden album 'Somewhere in Time' from 1986 is prominently displayed on one of the walls. However, it's the cover from the 1998 reissue, where the band and album title were much smaller and located in the upper left corner, compared to the original cover.
- When Patricia tells her husband about her 'neighbor' in the car, she is holding papers. They are held together by a clip with metal, hinged fasteners that alternate between pointing up and down.
- When Sherry goes outside after breaking up with Drew, her elaborately styled hair is already limp and wet, even though she hasn't had time to get caught in the rain.
- When Stacey and Constance sing “I Want to Know What Love Is” facing a mirror, part of Constance’s hairstyle is visible in the reflection, and it looks as though the reflection doesn't show her hair – there are a lot of brownish and reddish streaks there, while Constance is blonde with no hint of red.
- During the performance of Sherry’s rendition of “More Than Words,” there’s a scene where Drew adjusts the microphone to which a scarf is already tied, and this is before Lonnie has done the “sound check.”
- At the end of the scene where Drew’s band plays for Stacey, it is clearly visible that Drew is using a wired microphone to which no cable is connected.
- The fictional club “Bourbon” is supposedly located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California. West Hollywood wasn’t previously registered as a separate city; this only happened in 1984 (before the events of the film). In any case, the mayor of Los Angeles would have no jurisdiction over the establishments located there.
- The film's events take place in 1987, but many of the songs were written later: Warrant – «Heaven» (1988), Extreme – «More Than Words» (1990), Poison – «Every Rose Has Its Thorn» (1988), Skid Row – «I Remember You» (1989). It should be noted, however, that these songs reflect the second half of the 1980s overall, and the film is more of a musical fantasy than a historically accurate depiction of a specific period.
- During Drew's first performance on stage, the mirror effect creates the impression that he is holding the guitar differently, but this is not the case, as the inscription on his t-shirt is also mirrored.
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
