FILM-FORWARD.COMReviews of Recent Independent, Foreign, & Documentary Films in Theaters and DVD/Home Video
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
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