Prey for Rock & Roll

Critics Consensus

Gershon is a fierce rocker, but the plot is a cliche-filled melodrama.

Prey for Rock & Roll Photos

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Movie Info

Jacki (Gina Gershon, who also served as a producer) has always wanted to be a rock star. But after years of struggling to make it, she's turning 40, and she's thinking of giving it up. "Do you ever think about being 50 or 60 years old, hauling our gear around, passing out flyers, fighting with bookers, and still sweating around?" she asks her bandmates. Faith (Lori Petty), the talented lead guitarist, gives guitar lessons to hyperactive teens on the side. Faith is seriously involved with the much younger Sally (Shelly Cole of TV's Gilmore Girls), the band's good-natured drummer. Tracy (Drea de Matteo of HBO's The Sopranos), the bass player, is a trust-fund baby with a substance abuse problem and a manipulative lowlife boyfriend, Nick (Ivan Martin). Jacki's thoughts of quitting are put on hold when the band gets a shot at a recording contract for an independent label and a gig opening for X. Then Sally's big brother, Animal (Marc Blucas, formerly of TV's Buffy the Vampire Slayer), arrives in town, fresh out of prison, and stirs up Jacki's romantic life. But when two tragic events shake the band, Jacki is again forced to consider finding something else to do with her life. Prey for Rock & Roll was written by Cheri Lovedog, based on her own experiences in the rock world. It was originally performed as a stage play at CBGB in New York. The stage production was directed by Robin Whitehouse, who gets a writing credit for the screenplay. The film marks the directorial debut of accomplished film music producer Alex Steyermark. It was shown at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival and the 2003 Tribeca Film Festival.

Rating:

R (for language, sexual content, drug use and brief violence)
Genre:

Drama, Musical & Performing Arts
Directed By:

Alex Steyermark
Written By:

Cheri Lovedog, Robin Whitehouse
In Theaters:

Sep 26, 2003 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Mar 9, 2004
Runtime:

104 minutes
Studio:

Mac Releasing

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Cast

Gina Gershon
as Jacki

Drea de Matteo
as Tracy

Lori Petty
as Faith

Shelly Cole
as Sally

Marc Blucas
as Animal

Iván Martín
as Nick

Eddie Driscoll
as Chuck

Ashley Eckstein
as Punk Rock Girl

Shakara Ledard
as Jessica

Texas Terri
as Herself

Sandra Seacat
as Jacki's Mom

Nancy M. Pimental
as Natalie

Greg Rikaart
as Scott

Francois Harold
as Johnny

Johanna Portman
as Sorority Girl No. 1

Hallie King
as Sorority Girl No. 2

Benjamin Benitez
as Drug Dealer

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Critic Reviews for Prey for Rock & Roll

All Critics (47) | Top Critics (16) | DVD (4)

The film has its sensibilities in the right place.

Mar 16, 2004 | Rating: 3/4

James Berardinelli
ReelViews
Top Critic
Aside from Ms. Gershon's performance (none of the other cast members actually played), there's little to elevate the music -- or the movie -- above cliché.

Dec 18, 2003 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…

Gary Dowell
Dallas Morning News
Top Critic
Played with the right combination of weariness and optimism by Gina Gershon, Jacki will be recognizable to any woman who has ever strapped on a guitar and plugged in, as well as to those of us who have encountered her.

Nov 14, 2003 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Terry Lawson
Detroit Free Press
Top Critic
A rock drama that's hung over with inauthenticity.

Nov 7, 2003 | Rating: 1.5/4 | Full Review…

Wesley Morris
Boston Globe
Top Critic
It's a raw and raucous rock story that, for once, gets the big picture and the small details right.

Oct 23, 2003 | Rating: 3/4

Loren King
Chicago Tribune
Top Critic
An ingratiatingly scrappy little movie.

Oct 22, 2003 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
Top Critic
Too bad the music sucks and the tale's flat as a board.

Jun 21, 2007 | Rating: C- | Full Review…

Jason Gorber
Film Scouts
There's a sharp sense of honest rock-chick energy that draws us into this film, even when its story takes a few overwrought and melodramatic turns.

Apr 5, 2005 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
Cult favorite Gina Gershon is at the top of her smart, snarly game...

Aug 8, 2004 | Full Review…

MaryAnn Johanson
Flick Filosopher
Gershon is the only reason to watch the film.

Apr 20, 2004 | Rating: 1.5/4 | Full Review…

Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central
Too much of a morbid soap opera to be any fun or truly dramatic.

Feb 2, 2004 | Rating: 1/4

Paul Sherman
Boston Herald
While it gets a good deal of the background right, the picture stumbles in the dramatic department.

Jan 5, 2004 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…

Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

View All Critic Reviews (47)

Audience Reviews for Prey for Rock & Roll

Jun 21, 2011

And this is why I don't like "indies". Are the people who write them incapable of happy endings? Or even a positive ending? I'd settle for a hopeful ending. But no. And it's a shame, because a film like this, that details an endless struggle, NEEDS an upbeat ending.

Marcus W Super Reviewer
Nov 04, 2010

This is supposed to be some dyke must-see, however, the only thing it's got going for it, is exactly that. The women look super-sexy on stage (Gina Gherson, Drea De Matteo and Lori Petty are not only fit but believably bad-ass) yet the film itself is poorely scripted and awfully lit, and if it didn't have Hedwig's Steven Trask taking care of the music, I think it would have sucked big time. If you want to spend some time feasting your eyes on the leads, then this movie is for you. If, however, you expect something deeper, you will have to feel content with the "I heart Music that's why I am still 40 and play it" over-riding theme, which may in itself not be so bad, yet it hardly gives us any additional insight into life as such.

Anastasia B Super Reviewer
Jan 05, 2008

The only thing I liked about this movie was that I was able to translate the French t-shirt that said "Je suis libre ce soir"

Ida K Super Reviewer
Dec 07, 2007

This movie is one of her best!

Leo L Super Reviewer