Ron Eldard offers a powerhouse performance in ‘Roadie’

Ron Eldard has always been one of those character actors that seems to be everywhere and nowhere. He’s acted in numerous movies and TV shows, but his latest feature — Roadie from Magnolia Pictures — provides him with his meatiest role to date. He turns in a powerhouse performance as Jimmy, a man who has served as a dedicate roadie for Blue Oyster Cult for more than 25 years. With wicked sideburns, long hair and a penchant for drugs and rock ‘n roll, Jimmy is a man of the road, a person who has tasted stardom — but always from outside the spotlight.

And then it all comes crashing down. When the band decides to move ahead with a South American tour without Jimmy as the roadie, the bummed-out guy traipses home to his mother’s house in Forest Hills, Queens. Wanting to stay only a day, Jimmy realizes there’s more to experience in his old stomping ground.

His mother (Lois Smith) is starting to show her age with an increasingly forgetful memory. His high school girlfriend (Jill Hennessy) has married his high school enemy (Bobby Cannavale), and the two want to reacquaint and catch up on old times. Without even knowing it, Jimmy spirals back 25 years to the Queens of his youth, when listening to a rock song could be a transportive experience.

The movie’s plot, written by Gerald and Michael Cuesta, is nothing too original. Facing unemployment and heading back to the homestead is a common premise for comedies and dramas alike. What makes Roadie different is Eldard’s performance. He never oversells or undersells the character. We watch him make bad choices (drugs, alcohol, driving under the influence), but we also care for this “professional schlepper”. Despite the unkind years on the road, which have made him bitter and slightly overweight, Jimmy is a good guy who holds onto his childhood dreams with a firm, firm grip. It’s hard not to root for his success.

Nikki (Hennessy) and Randy (Cannavale) are interesting additions to the story. One can never tell whether they’re intent on dragging Jimmy into the depths of nothingness, or trying to build him back up again. It’s obvious there’s still an attraction between Nikki and Jimmy, but Randy stands obstinately in the way.

Hennessy offers a fine portrayal and gives the movie some soulful tunes (Nikki is an amateur singer herself). Cannavale is enjoyable, but his cinematic career is increasingly peppered by these similar characters. He always plays a smart-talking NYC guy who seems born of the streets. If you’re not running a mile a minute, he’ll steamroll right over you. This depiction always makes for fun characters, but Cannavale can create them with his hands tied behind his back.

Michael Cuesta, who also directed the film, keeps everything finely focused on Jimmy. There are ample opportunities to take a left turn into sappy-ville, but Roadie keeps its head in the right direction. The movie understands it’s a character study, an exploration of a guy down on his luck and facing the painful reality of hindsight. Eldard is the reason the movie succeeds well beyond its means.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Roadie

• 2011

• Directed by Michael Cuesta

• Written by Gerald and Michael Cuesta

• Starring Ron Eldard, Bobby Cannavale, Jill Hennessy and Lois Smith

• Running time: 96 minutes

• Rated R for pervasive language and some drug content

• Rating: