THE DIRT (2019)

Directed By: Jeff Tremaine 
Written By: Amanda Adelson & Rich Wilkes 
Based On The Book “The Dirt” By: Neill Strauss, Nikki Sixx, Vince Neil, Tommy Lee and Mick Mars 
Cinematography: Toby Oliver 
Editor: Melissa Kent 


Cast: Iwan Rheon, Pete Davidson, Kathryn Morris, Machine Gun Kelly (Colson Baker), Douglas Booth, Daniel Webber, Katherine Neff, David Costabile, Tony Cavalero, Max Milner 


The film doesn’t break the mold when it comes to telling the story of the band. It tries to be more humorous considering the darkness of the tales and tone in general. The characters occasionally break the fourth wall and talk to the audience Mick Mars more than anyone as he still stays the strangest and most mysterious member of the band. Now while the movie is based on the bands autobiography THE DIRT. It also remind some of the bands behind the music special from back in the day and for how much the film tries it still comes off as more a television movie. Due to the more limited budget, sets state of production and wigs. Though with this kind of material it could never play on regular television. So it’s no surprise it is a Netflix presentation. As there is plenty of nudity, sex and drugs to go around.


Now one realizes the film Can’t tell all the stories. From the book many of which are crazier then what we see here. It plays more like a greatest hits of some you have heard and some you might not have. This is a greatest hits of stories and degradation and a kind of celebration and almost taking pride in the debauchery which they seem legendary for and showing it and taking pride.

Just like the decade the movie takes place in the 1980's the decade of excess when you had a nihilistic band and towns. Just like the movies of the decade where you could have debauchery as acceptable behavior it is more frowned on now and seems more the behavior of a less advanced civilization. When sex, drugs, nudity and rock n roll were all the rage and now picked apart and seen as unacceptable publicly and in society even as it still goes on.

The film never slows down like the and band keeps moving like they are escaping themselves. Which leads to a shockingly shorter than expected movie. Though you will feel full by the end. Though with the film never slowing down even the more dramatic parts that the film tries to focus and acknowledge. You never quite get the emotional attachment to the characters or the film that should be there.

The film even opens with a scene showing the band more in their element towards the beginning of their popularity and sets you up for what you are going to see throughout. So it’s laying it’s cards in the table to say if this disturbs you. You might want to turn back now.

The movie is exactly what you would expect from this type of film, loud, fast and out of control.

The reactions of the film or the presentation of events also shows how color can come into play as races are judged differently. For instance look at the scene where Tommy hits a woman it’s not celebrated but accepted. Though when it came to the movie STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON complaints of white washing were thrown at the film for not acknowledging Dr. Dre’s abuse of women where when African American they want everything shown and told about the bad things they did and are supposed to atone or show remorse.

Here with this band Even though it is usually bad and even at the end acknowledge they live with regrets for everything that they should be and have to live with it though they survived and still together. No real heart to hearts or apologies. Then again it might come down to the band’s attitude about their behavior. By the end either way they are allowed to have that attitude and it be attacked where as N.W.A. Isn’t to a certain degree by certain people.

Shows how they get away with everything and are never truly punished. It’s almost expected their behavior. Roxy, Tommy Lee's first fiancé in the film, is based on a woman named Honey. In real life, Lee kicked Honey out of a limousine after she insulted his mother. When she started hitting him, Lee punched her in the face, knocking out several of her teeth.

This film leaves out several events that took place between Motley Crue 's reunion with Vince Neil in 1997 and their farewell show in L.A. in 2015, including the band's split with Tommy Lee from 1999-2004 (he was first replaced by Randy Castillo and then by Samantha Maloney), receiving an awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and live shows, press and other events supporting their post-1994 albums.

There is that coming from the street and not really have no nothing and working their way way up. Their own tags to riches story.

Jeff Tremaine is the Right director for the material. who excels in more juvenile dangerous college dude type films and material that kind of celebrates and encourages this type of behavior. Where it is very misogynistic but expected. Like kids who never quite grew up despite aging upwards. Even as this is truly his first feature not connected to the JACKASS movies and Spin off’s.

Don’t get me wrong I am a fan of theirs and the film positions them As a product of environment and a lot they probably couldn’t get a way with so sort of the last of a breed facing down today’s more sensitive they are a remix e rid the old days the last of the ideal rock stars. It offers different points of view but through it all they are always forgiven.

It tries to define the members of the group. Under basic familiar terms Nikki Sixx the brains and the most tortured of them. Also a kind of musical genius. Tommy Lee the A.D.H.D sex addict and romantic to a degree. He’s like a big kid. Mick Mars the oldest, strangest and mysterious and Vince Neil the playboy lead singer. All hedonistic in their own way. Taking it to the edge and never looking back.

All the performances are good enough. Adding Pete Davidson seems more like stunt casting but he is adequate in the role of their square a & r executive. Though he is probably the biggest name cast member other then Iwan Rheon from GAME OF THRONES. Who actually gives the best performance as he has the strangest role. Even though Machine Gun Kelly as Tommy Lee is nipping at his heels.

Now I must come clean. I am a fan of the band and I believe the level of knowledge and fandom of the band will be the ultimate indicator of how much you will enjoy this movie.

My uncle introduced me to Motley Crue’s music and a lot of hard rock and heavy metal in general. My family has always been major music influences when it comes to tastes, genres and styles. Which ones why I love a wide range of music and genres. A music lover especially the kinds you wouldn’t expect.


Grade: C