Hilarious “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” Is Free Thanks to Competition
The streaming revolution has shaken the established Hollywood order and changed the way we watch movies, but it’s still an uncharted frontier. Subscription-based platforms like Netflix and Disney Plus are in relentless competition for your entertainment dollars. Meanwhile, free, ad-based services like Tubi and Pluto TV have a wide range of programming that does not require a monthly fee. Streaming has allowed easy and inexpensive access to thousands of movies that was unimaginable fifteen years ago. It has never been a more exciting time for film fanatics to be alive.
The Roku Channel, from the guys that brought you those nifty Roku streaming devices, is stepping up its game to compete for some of the streaming pie. The free platform’s first major original movie release is the hysterical musical comedy Weird: The Al Yankovic Story about the enduring accordionist and parody artist. Starring Daniel Radcliffe as Yankovic backed by a talented supporting cast, the film could also be a boost to the burgeoning Roku Channel, which is also the new home of Reno 911! and Martha Stewart.
The film spoofs movies like Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman, and is a “totally 100% true, not-at-all made-up biopic,” according to the real-life Yankovic in an introduction to the film. Against the wishes of his parents (Julianne Nicholson and Toby Huss), Yankovic pursues a career in music and strives to be the best musician ever to play popular songs by changing the lyrics. He composes and records The Knack parody “My Bologna” with the help of his roommates-turned-bandmates Jim, Steve, and Bermuda (Jack Lancaster, Spencer Treat Clark, Tommy O’Brien) and it becomes an instant radio sensation. His act catches the eye of Yankovic’s idol, disc jockey Dr. Demento (Rainn Wilson), who takes him under his wing and propels him to superstardom.
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is based on a 2010 Funny or Die short and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival where it won the People’s Choice Award for Midnight Madness. The film derives much of its humor from putting Yankovic, a teetotaling nice guy in real life, into conventional rock star biopic situations. His ego is inflated by his superstardom, and he descends into substance abuse while alienating his bandmates. This is complemented by the silly naivety in Radcliffe’s performance. The outlandish plot, co-written by Yankovic and director Eric Appel, includes hilarious episodes in Yankovic’s “life” such as his affair with Madonna (Evan Rachel Wood).
Joining Radcliffe is a company of comedy and music stars in supporting or cameo roles. Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton appears as a surgeon while crooner Josh Groban shows up as a waiter. SNL alum Will Forte and real-life Yankovic play the Scotti Brothers, Al’s record executives. A hilarious pool party scene at Dr. Demento’s home features a memorable bit with Jack Black as Wolfman Jack, who challenges Yankovic to write a parody on spot to prove himself as a legitimate talent. This scene, which tells the origin of “Another One Rides the Bus,” is so hilarious that I have rewatched it several times since my initial viewing. Thanks, Roku Channel, for making my life more pleasant!
The movie isn’t perfect. The second half of the film is more uneven than the first half, but there are plenty of laughs to redeem Weird from its imperfections. Die-hard Yankovic fans have plenty to enjoy with all the music and zaniness. Those who didn’t enjoy Weird: The Al Yankovic Story can at least find solace in the fact that they didn’t have to spend money on a ticket and concessions to be disappointed.