Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll is an account of the life of Ian Drury from his childhood in a disabled children’s home up to fame and fortune with The Blockheads. Director Matt Whitecross starts the film with an eye hurting mix of animation, jump cuts and general confusion. It’s not a great start. However, things improve when the film settles down into a more narrative structure and we get to enjoy Andy Serkis’s uncanny portrayal of Drury. Visually and vocally, Serkis puts in a great performance and his more OTT roles from his previous films are quickly forgotten. However, despite a strong supporting cast portraying his family, the film suffers as it concentrates on Drury’s relationship with them at the expense of any sort of analysis of his music. The film makes Drury come across as some sort of talentless sixth form student, and on the occasions some of the hits are used in the film they barely resonant, despite being some of the biggest songs of that time. Take away the music and you have a film that is actually a bit of a struggle to watch as there actually isn’t much to make us warm to Drury. Not that having a successful music career is an excuse for his selfish behaviour, but the film needs more balance between private life and public life. Worth watching for Serkis as Drury, but the film lacks clarity and fails to portray just how big Drury was at his peak
The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Sex? Yes. Drugs? Plenty. Rock & Roll? Far too little. Rating: 5/10.
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