Anvil! The Story of Anvil
Directed by: Sacha Gervasi
Starring: Steve “Lips” Kudlow, Robb Reiner

Back in the ’80s when metal was king and mullets ruled the musical landscape, there were a lot of mediocre bands scoring record deals and becoming (to quote Warrant) “dirty rotten filthy stinking rich”. Back then all you needed was some spandex and a little hairspray to gain a following, and although there were a lot of one-hit wonders being churned out, many were at least being granted enough time in the spotlight to make some cash and have their names remembered for years to come.

But what if you were one of the unlucky ones who never made it to the top, despite touring with the likes of The Scorpions, Whitesnake and Dio, and despite being named as an influence by some of the biggest metal bands of all-time? Would you still be rocking out 30 years later, or would you simply give up the dream and move on with your life? Sacha Gervasi’s amazing documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil explores the story of one band that never gave up hope, and not only is it hilarious, it is also touching and uplifting, and an absolute must-see movie for 2009.

The movie opens with testimonials from such luminaries as Slash, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, and Lemmy from Motorhead, all talking about how great Anvil are and how puzzling it is that they never became famous. If you didn’t know ahead of time that they were talking about a real band, you might assume at this point that you are about to see a mockumentary about a fictitious characters. But no, despite all of the comparisons to This is Spinal Tap!, both Steve “Lips” Kudlow and Robb Reiner are very real people, and their band Anvil has been a mainstay of the Canadian metal scene since the early ’80s.

What is almost unbelievable is just how long these guys have been making music together (35 years, 13 albums and counting), and how oblivious they have been to the passage of time and the changing of musical trends. It’s still 1985 in their world, and although in some ways that could be seen as sad, it is the unwavering dedication to a common goal, their belief in themselves, and the strength of their friendship that really shines through in this film.

Gervasi, a former roadie for the band and lifelong fan, catches up with Kudlow and Reiner just as they are about to embark on a European tour that will hopefully put their name back on the map. Unfortunately, the tour ends up being an unmitigated disaster with gig after gig falling through due to lack of promotion, transportation issues and poor management. They return to Toronto battered but not broken, and eventually raise the money to record a new album with big shot producer Chris Tsangarides, determined to make it their ultimate comeback. In the midst of the recording sessions, however, the pressure eventually takes its toll, and threatens to tear apart the band before they can see it through to completion.

There are plenty of hilarious moments in Anvil! The Story of Anvil, but beneath every laugh there is also a sense of truth and real emotion. The scene where we learn about Reiner’s painting skills, for example, certainly plays out like something from Spinal Tap, particularly when he reveals a lovingly rendered portrait of a toilet bowl with feces in it. However, in spite of the ridiculous nature of some of his artwork and his thoughts on said pieces, there is a newfound depth to Reiner that is revealed, not to mention his affection for the band and creative expression in general.

Ludlow, on the other hand, has one of the best lines in the movie when his older sister is talking about how much she wants him to succeed, bringing them both to tears, and he says so sincerely, “Family’s important shit, man”. We can giggle at their childlike nature and some of the minor mishaps and arguments along the way because we know these guys will bounce back, but we are compelled to root for Anvil to succeed. It’s just a classic underdog story, and they are such genuine and likeable guys that we can all see a little bit of ourselves in them. It also goes completely against the dark and foreboding exterior of their music.

You don’t have to be a metal fan to enjoy this movie, and you certainly don’t have to be an Anvil fan (although you will inevitably become one, whether you like it or not). What makes this movie so memorable is the fact that it touches on a plethora of universal human dilemmas: growing older and dealing with our mortality, the sacrifices we make to follow our dreams, the lasting bonds of friendship, an artist’s struggle for creative fulfillment, the shallowness of the entertainment world and what it takes to become famous — take your pick, they’re all in there somewhere.

Perhaps the best part of all this is the fact that the Anvil story does not end with this documentary. The movie has helped to bring more attention to the band, attracted new fans and earned them gigs and opportunities they never would have had, such as the option to record songs for the video game Rock Band. Anvil are now in the unique position to capitalize on the latest wave of metal as it comes back into the mainstream, having stuck around long enough for the trend to come full circle. If you only see one documentary this year, I think you’d be hard-pressed to find one as enjoyable and enlightening as Anvil! The Story of Anvil. For this very reason, I must insist that you go and seek out this movie right now, head to the closest city where it is playing, and bring along every friend that you possibly can. You’ll thank me for it later, but I’ll also thank you… and so will the demi-gods of Canadian metal. — Sean

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Recommended If You Like: This is Spinal Tap!, American Movie, Metallica: Some Kind of Monster

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