PREY FOR ROCK AND ROLL
Directed by: Alex Steyermark.
Produced by: Gina Gershon, Donovan Mannato & Gina Resnick.
Written by: Cheri Lovedog & Robin Whitehouse.
Director of Photography: Antonio Calvache.
Edited by: Allyson C. Johnson.
Music by: Cheri Lovedog & Stephen Trask.
Released by: MAC Releasing.
Country of Origin: USA. 104 min. Rated: R.
With: Gina Gershon, Drea De Matteo & Lori Petty.

First time director Alex Steyermark vividly captures the excitement, despair and grittiness of the Los Angeles rock and roll scene, the subject of an autobiographical play by rocker Cheri Lovedog. A band named Clam Daddy and its aging leader, Jacki (Gina Gershon), search for a record deal while dealing with the realities of Los Angeles street life. Jacki, who operates a tattoo parlor, constantly battles - and supports - the band's other members. Although the rock film genre has often been a recipe for disaster, Prey avoids the label with good hard-driving music, realistic ambiance and seemingly genuine tales of personal battles between musicians, managers and groupies. The performances are generally excellent and Gina Gershon is to be admired for the energy that she exudes in taking on a rather difficult role. However, the film fails badly when melodrama creeps in and the story of a rape, an ex-con and revenge takes over. Feelings of manipulation and boredom set in as Prey drifts from its rock roots to a movie with little else to say. The script, replete with banal (though probably accurate) dialogue, is less than generous when it comes to meaningful interaction. A better idea is to buy the soundtrack than see the film.

Michael Morley, President of CineBLAST! Productions (Revolution #9, Bobby G. Can't Swim & Spring Forward
October 17, 2003