'Anvil! The Story of Anvil' review

Lips (Credit: Abramorama)

Why do some make it in the music industry and some don't? In the early '80s Canadian metal act Anvil was playing festivals with Bon Jovi and Metallica and earning the respect of peers like Slash and Scott Ian of Anthrax. But the band never took off, and this documentary follows singer Lips and drummer Robb Reiner (seriously), now in their '50s, as they work mundane day jobs, tour and still try to get their big break.

The buzz: Despite absurdities like shots of Lips playing guitar with a female sex toy, this is not Spinal Tap. This is real life. The question is if writer/director/longtime Anvil fan Sacha Gervasi can honestly capture the humor, the dedication and the sadness of this never-give-up band without overstating their relevance.

The verdict: What a sad, funny, inspiring story. Even those who hate metal may appreciate the form when seeing these guys' commitment to each other and to the music, and the supportive families who understand how important it is to Lips and Reiner. "Anvil" doesn't quite fill in the history to show how the band kept rocking from the '80s through today, when so many other groups threw in the towel. But the movie rivals "The Wrestler" in its look at middle-aged dignity, dreams and disappointments. One of many priceless moments: Lips having the perspective—even as most of Anvil's European tour gets botched—to shrug off the nonsense and genuinely appreciate being able to tour at all.

Did you know? At one point in the film, Lips takes a telemarketing job working under a man known as Cut Loose, one of Anvil's biggest fans. It's probably safe to say Bono will never have to do that.

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