The trailer for the Ian Dury biopic “Sex & Drugs & Rock ‘N Roll” has arrived and it looks intriguing, perhaps even a little more interesting than we initially thought (rock biopics always being a rather risky proposition). We’ve also found several photos that have been floating around the web from the U.K. press.
For those of you who don’t know, Dury was a well known Brit rocker who rose to fame in the ’70s with his band, Ian Dury and the Blockheads who helped pave the wave for punk rock. The band scored their biggest hit with 1979’s “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick” but are perhaps better known for coining the phrase “Sex & Drugs & Rock ‘N Roll” with their 1977 single.
The flamboyant rocker, who was crippled by polio as a child, refused to let his disability define him, famously writing “Spasticus Autisticus” that showed his disdain for what he thought were patronizing programs aimed at the disabled. Dury lived through the disease but passed away of liver cancer in 2000.
The film is directed by Mat Whitecross (“The Road To Guantanamo”) and boasts a stellar lineup that includes Andy Serkis (as Dury) Ray Winstone, Olivia Willliams, Naomie Harris and Mackenzie Crook. Serkis has been earning his fair share of buzz for his portrayal of Dury, but, while we’re curious about the film, given how relatively unknown Dury is on this side of the ocean we’re not holding our breath for a theatrical release (see the not-released-in-the-U.S. picture”Telstar” and other British rock biopics about seminal, but largely forgotten U.K. music figures).
I have to admit: I had no idea about this and now I am totally excited for it..
Coming from England, I've known about Dury for years. Or at least his polio and his music (which was just incredible). I'm really, really hoping that the movie makes it over here to the US. Can't wait to see it.
I loved Ian Dury's music back in the 80's, and I'm quite interested in this film. Andy Serkis looks like a dead ringer (pardon the expression) for the deceased Dury. Wonder if there will be any cameos from Dury's labelmates on Stiff like Wreckless Eric, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Larry Wallis, etc.?
Seeing as I'm in flyoverland, I'll just have to wait 'til it hits Netflix. Please don't let it be a Warner release over here!
In no way did they "pave the way for punk rock". A more accurate assessment would be to say that Ian Dury and the Blockheads bridged the gap between punk and new wave, ending up firmly on the side of the latter.