For once I feel the high IMDb rating is deserved. I went with my boyfriend to see this movie even though I have less than no interest in heavy metal. But from the opening frames I was pulled into this film and carried through it on a wave of wonderful characters, intriguing 'plot' and the sheer devotion to duty shown both by the members of Anvil and the film-maker Sacha Gervasi. Despite being close to the band, he has managed to maintain the objectivity that allows not a jot of over-indulgence, while allowing the pathos and humour of the situation to emerge organically.
Here is the flipside of The X Factor - one band's truth about the music industry and their seemingly endless efforts to achieve success 30 years on from what looked like spectacular beginnings.
The structure of this film is particularly engaging and - once again - Gervasi trims any unnecessary fat from what could have been a fan's-eye-view of Anvil.
Comparisons with Spinal Tap are obvious but do no favours to Anvil, whose members are never less than engaging, industrious and loyal.
In places I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and nearly did both simultaneously more than once. The small audience we saw it with seemed to enjoy the film very much, and nobody stood up until the credits had ended.
What Gervasi has achieved is a truly moving, funny and uplifting account of a band's struggle for the recognition you can't help but feel they so richly deserve.
Forget Slumdog Millionaire - Anvil is the true feelgood movie of the year so far.
Here is the flipside of The X Factor - one band's truth about the music industry and their seemingly endless efforts to achieve success 30 years on from what looked like spectacular beginnings.
The structure of this film is particularly engaging and - once again - Gervasi trims any unnecessary fat from what could have been a fan's-eye-view of Anvil.
Comparisons with Spinal Tap are obvious but do no favours to Anvil, whose members are never less than engaging, industrious and loyal.
In places I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and nearly did both simultaneously more than once. The small audience we saw it with seemed to enjoy the film very much, and nobody stood up until the credits had ended.
What Gervasi has achieved is a truly moving, funny and uplifting account of a band's struggle for the recognition you can't help but feel they so richly deserve.
Forget Slumdog Millionaire - Anvil is the true feelgood movie of the year so far.