Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Watch Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

"Life made him tough. Love made him strong. Music made him hard."
  • R
  • 2007
  • 1 hr 30 min
  • 6.8  (76,712)
  • 63

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story is a satirical comedy biopic about the fictional musician, Dewey Cox, portrayed by John C. Reilly. The movie is a parody of Hollywood's obsession with biopics and mocks its clichés and conventions. The film follows Dewey Cox's rise to fame from a young boy in Alabama to a legendary rock star. The story is heavily influenced by the rise and fall of rock musicians such as Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley.

The movie opens with a failed performance by Cox and his band in the late 1940s. It then jumps to his childhood in the 1950s, where he accidentally cuts his brother Nate (Tim Meadows) in half with a machete. This tragic event sets the tone for the rest of the movie's dark humor.

After leaving home to pursue music, Cox quickly rises to fame after recording a controversial hit song, "Walk Hard." The song is a parody of rock and roll's early days, highlighting its explicit lyrics and suggestive themes. Cox becomes a sensation, and his music transforms along with the times, encompassing folk, psychedelia, and punk.

Along the way, Cox marries three times and battles addiction to alcohol and drugs. Jenna Fischer and Kristen Wiig play his wives, Darlene and Edith, respectively. He also has a music rivalry with his competitor, the bubblegum pop star, with Darlene Madison. Darlene is played by Jenna Fischer, who provides a charming performance and comic relief in the film.

The story is narrated by the musician's close friend, Dewey Cox impersonator (also played by John C. Reilly). The impersonator breaks the fourth wall and interacts with the audience throughout the movie. His witty commentary and sarcastic humor make the film even more satirical and comedic.

The film's comedic elements come from its over-the-top performances, ludicrous scenarios, and jokes that poke fun at the biopic genre. David Krumholtz, Tim Meadows, and Chris Parnell all provide fantastic performances as supporting characters. Their comedic timing and chemistry with Reilly create some of the movie's funniest scenes.

One of the standout scenes in the movie is when Dewey and his band try LSD for the first time. The trippy visuals and hallucinations are a nod to the Beatles' psychedelic era and create a genuinely funny and surreal sequence.

The movie's production design, costumes, and music all pay homage to the different musical eras that Cox goes through in the movie. The soundtrack, composed by Reilly and songwriter Dan Bern, is a parody of the different genres and musicians that influence Dewey's music. The soundtrack stands on its own as a great piece of parody music and adds to the film's humor.

Overall, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story is an underrated, hilarious, and inventive satire of the biopic genre. John C. Reilly's charismatic performance, clever writing, and spot-on parody of music legends make this movie a must-watch for music and comedy fans alike. The movie is not only a satire of the biopic genre but also a love letter to music and the different genres that shape our culture.

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story is a 2007 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 63.

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
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Where to Watch Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Peacock Premium, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2007
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 30 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.8  (76,712)
  • Metascore
    63