Review of Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (2010) by Donna B — 15 May 2010

Written by Paul Viragh and directed by Matt Whitecross, this film is a humorously quirky biography on the life of Ian Dury, one of founders of the â??70â??s punk/pub scene in the UK. Andy Serkis does an incredible job of portraying the rowdy rocker opposite equally great work from Olivia Williams (Betty), Naomie Harris (Denise), Ray Winstone (Bill) and especially Bill Milner (Baxter). It begins with Ianâ??s wife Betty giving birth upstairs while Ianâ??s band is practicing below, an event that Ian reflects in his musical performances, as well as explaining how he contracted polio. The film is more of a dedication to life of Ian Dury, rather than to the music, although the inspiration for a few songs is revealed. It is a memorial to an individual who used his musical talent as a means to theatrically entertain while exercising his internal demons. It is art imitating life, and vice versa.

The film shows how Ianâ??s troubled childhood and relationship with his father, was the foundation for his relationship with his own son. It shows Baxter being constantly exposed to a hardcore punk rock lifestyle, purposefully avoiding any real drug reference until much later on, when Baxter takes some pills and has bad experience. Baxterâ??s processing of this lifestyle is shown in his persistent school truancy and wild behavior. However, in this rough and tumble existence, the deep love and caring Ian felt for his family is ever present. In one scene, when Ian is apparently talking with Baxter about his and Bettyâ??s divorce, he tells Baxter to close his eyes; he touches his shoulder and says â??Do you feel that? Thatâ??s me, Iâ??m always there, just above your shoulder.â??

While speaking at the school for children with special needs, where he once attended and faced a lot of struggles and humiliation, Ian is asked by a student if he believed in God. Ian replied he used to but not anymore, explaining that â??down here on Earth is where you have to get your nut together.â?? He then gets the students to bang and scream on instruments and have a laugh.

Then in the filmsâ?? final â??performanceâ?? scenes, Ian says the moral of the story is â??donâ??t go looking for morals in stories..if you want a message, f**k off then in a post office.â?? Another quote: â??One way to avoid death is to be magnificent.â??

An extremely captivating film, and even though he didnâ??t avoid it, on the Diode Scale, I give this film, and Ian a magnificent 10.