The Rock ‘n’ Roll Dream of Duncan Christopher

The Rock n Roll Dream of Duncan Christopher is an indie film that feels like an Oklahoma version of Flight of the Conchords about karaoke. The film is about a man’s dream to become a rock and roll star by combining music and magic. The film could be described as a light-hearted comedy that is as awkward and ridiculous as it is unique and nerdy.

Right from the beginning of the film we are to believe that a young boy named Duncan Christopher is bound to grow up to become a famous rock star one day. His crazy but legendary rock and roll icon father Arthur Christopher (Justin S. Monroe) commits suicide less than five minutes into the film.

Fast forward 20 years later Duncan (Jack Roberts) and his wing man Charlie (Peter Bedgood) spend most of their time deejaying a local roller skate ring. While celebrating his 30th birthday Duncan realizes that he must do something with his life. They believe the first step to take in this new direction is to seek out “odditions” to sing at a karaoke bar contest.

Duncan’s first few of attempts of singing karaoke usually ended abruptly with him throwing up half way through the song. With the help of Charlie, his Uncle and the cute girl he meets at a coffee shop, Duncan finds the courage and inspiration he needs to find his karaoke voice. He makes it in to compete in the contest but can he outshine some of the local karaoke legends?

Jack Roberts had flashes of Zach Galifianakis and I could see some John Hawkes in Peter Bedgood. Beyond just physical resemblances of their famous doppelgangers, their comedic skills were similar as well for the hardly known actors. In fact, the only semi-famous actor in the film is Marshall Bell who plays Duncan’s uncle. Overall, the cast did a pretty good job if even Bedgood and Bell may have outperformed Roberts lead.

Visuals and special effects throughout the film were polished and made it feel like a bigger budget film than it really was. Animated transitions were unique and clever providing the film with it’s own style. The camera work was as professional as it comes for indie films.

Character development for the main character took until the very last scene before you really see much progress. Even with that, the climax was very anti-climactic. It was almost like the main character gave up at the end. As a viewer I found myself giving up just as he did.

The Rock n Roll Dream of Duncan Christopher is ultimately about at least attempting your dream and realizing that even if you do not accomplish it, the real achievement is perusing the dream. This awkward comedy is bound to get as many laughs as it does yawns but with a fantastic soundtrack and good amounts of original style, the film takes an unexciting plot and makes it watchable.