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The road movie is a tried-and-true cinematic staple; and whether it's Oscar-winning fare like Nomadland or raunchy comedies like Road Trip, moviegoing audiences can't seem to get enough. No matter the genre, taking a story on the road means taking its protagonists outside of their comfort zone, presenting them with obstacles to overcome, and giving them opportunities to meet interesting characters along the way — all of which are key to making an entertaining film. And with New Year's Rev, writer-director Lee Kirk is following that formula to a T, in this music-themed comedy about a group of friends who embark on a cross-country journey to go to a Green Day concert. Tommy (Mason Thames) and Fred (Kylr Coffman) are high-school pals who also happen to be in a punk rock band called Analog Dogs. So imagine their surprise when, after giving Green Day their demo at a record store meet-and-greet, they get a phone call from Tre Cool asking them to be the opening act for Green Day's New Year's Eve concert in Los Angeles. Recognizing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when they see one, the pair are quick to accept the offer, even though they have no idea how they're going to get across the country in only three days. Little do they realize, however, that it's all just a cruel prank played by Tommy's older brother, Wayne (Keen Ruffalo); but by the time the notion of bursting their bubble even crosses Wayne's mind, Tommy and Fred have already stolen his car and are well on their way to sunny California. With their naive drummer, Chad (Ryan Foust), in the backseat, they'll find themselves almost winning a battle of the bands contest at a biker bar, narrowly escaping a serial-killer motel owner, and even meeting a likeminded young woman named Olivia (Mckenna Grace) with a rock band of her own. Yet, despite all these distractions along the way, will this trio make it to their destination in time? And even if they do, what will they do when they discover that it was all just a hoax? Featuring an all-star comedic supporting cast that includes Jenna Fischer, Sean Gunn, Fred Armisen, Angela Kinsey and Bobby Lee, the result is a fun, if not extremely predictable and conventional, road comedy. Still, for audiences in the mood for precisely that, New Year's Rev understands its wheelhouse and does an amiable job staying within its lane. What makes this movie stand out, however, is its Green Day-centric storyline and the constant stream of Green Day songs that accompany this trio on their adventure. And for fans of the band, hearing their music on the big screen is really the closest thing to being at one of their concerts. |
New Year's Rev screens under the Centrepiece programme at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Its runtime is 1 hr. 43 min.
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