Rainn Wilson has spent the last four years playing TV's top second banana on The Office. His over-the-top office weirdo Dwight Schrute finds a way to break us from the uncanny "it's funny because it's true!" tone of the hit sitcom in almost every episode. In The Rocker, which marks Wilson's leading-man debut, he doesn't have to worry about adhering to principles of realism. He's been given a character -- Robert "Fish" Fishman, an embittered, 40-year-old loser still holding on to a grudge against the heavy metal band who kicked him to the curb before making it big twenty years ago -- so detached from reality, he can get away with bad behavior, like shoving a handful of fresh vomit into the pocket of his leather pants before taking the stage at a high school prom. And that's why I was dreading seeing this film.

But The Rocker earns my respect for not being the movie that was advertised in its trailer. I was expecting a plotless comedy where a crazy old guy joins his nephew's band and proceeds to embarrass a bunch of too-cool-for-school teenaged brats over and over again before quickly learning some important life lesson in the last ten minutes. Instead, The Rocker tells an actual story, albeit a predictable one, about rising above grudges, holding on to your dreams, and learning to live life to the fullest. Many people will call this movie a School of Rock clone, and they will have a valid point, but The Rocker still delivers some solid laughs and genuinely uplifting moments that are completely its own.

I think it helps that the supporting cast is so likeable. Real-life singer/songwriter Teddy Geiger (who also played a teen musician in the short-lived CBS series Love Monkey) is quietly charismatic as the band's moody lead singer, Curtis. His genuine musical talent makes it easier to root for the kids' band, A.D.D. Superbad's Emma Stone gets most of the best lines as rocker chick Amelia. The romantic tension between Amelia and Curtis is thankfully downplayed, leaving the film's focus on the band dynamic, where it belongs. Fish is brought in by his nephew, Matt (Josh Gad), a shy, overweight geek who sees music as his only chance to overcome his social awkwardness. Fish can't say no to his nephew's plea to fill in for their grounded drummer at the prom, but then ruins the gig with an overzealous drum solo. Fish is out of the band unless he can find them another gig, and as he sets about this task, you realize how much he really cares for these kids, and you start to kind of like him.

The kids start to kind of like him, too, after a webcam rehearsal gone horribly wrong makes them YouTube sensations and lands them a record deal. Over the course of their first tour, Fish brings each of his young bandmates out of their shells, helping them deal with everything from daddy issues to bad hair days. These gifted young actors show impressive restraint in the film's most angsty scenes. Shockingly, so does Wilson. The potential for sap remains (wisely) untapped.

There are even some funny grownups in this movie. Christina Applegate is refreshing as the cool mom who still acts like a mom. Jeff Garlin is adorably hilarious as Fish's wannabe rocker brother-in-law. And there are amusing cameos from the likes of Will Arnett and Demetri Martin. The Rocker may not be the most original comedy of the summer, and Rainn Wilson may not be as maniacally hilarious as Jack Black was in School of Rock. But if you're looking for youthful energy and rock 'n' roll spirit, it certainly beats staying home and playing Guitar Hero.

Grade: B

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