Rock the Kasbah
Common Sense says
- R
- 2015
- 100 minutes
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Rock the Kasbah is a comedy about a burned-out talent agent (Bill Murray) and an Afghani singer who dreams of going on television. Expect vert strong language, with "f--k," "s--t," "bitch," and "a--hole" used frequently. And although no nudity or sex are actually shown, innuendo and sex talk are very strong, sex is suggested, and a secondary character is a prostitute. Violence in the Afghan setting includes shooting and explosions; one character gets a bloody shoulder wound. Characters drink frequently, with minor drunkenness (played for laughs); one takes a "Mexican quaalude" and becomes comically high, and there are mentions of hashish and crack. This isn't one of Murray's stronger efforts, but his fans will still likely want to see it.
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What's the story?
Washed-up, burnt-out rock agent Richie Lanz (Bill Murray) has taken to scheming hopeful singers for small change. When he learns he can take his only client (Zooey Deschanel) to Afghanistan for a USO tour, he jumps at the opportunity. Unfortunately, she deserts him and takes his passport. Stranded, Richie falls in with a couple of sleazy arms dealers and ends up meeting a fearsome warlord. At night, he hears singing and finds the warlord's beautiful daughter, Salima (Leem Lubany), who's forbidden to do such things. Believing in fate, Richie enlists the aid of a local prostitute (Kate Hudson) and starts planning to get Salima on the nation's top talent show, Afghan Star -- even though it would bring shame to her family and perhaps even death.
Is it any good?
Murray seems game in the role of Richie Lanz, using his familiar beloved bag of tricks, but the movie feels rather slapdash. The lazy, lax rhythms rarely tighten up enough to produce any laughs. As ROCK THE KASBAH begins, Murray's goofball performance recalls some of his slyest, funniest roles, but as it goes on, it regretfully begins to resemble his more forgettable ones (Larger Than Life, Garfield, etc.); he tries, but the flabby material doesn't support him.
Director Barry Levinson can easily get lost if he's making comedies that aren't set in his hometown of Baltimore, and he's very lost here. He doesn't quite know how to reconcile Richie's story with Salima. While Lubany is lovely, her singing isn't particularly memorable, which undermines the movie's claim of her as an amazing star. She's based on a real person, and the movie seems to want to be respectful to her story in addition to being funny, but everything falls through the cracks.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about Rock the Kasbah's sexual content. How much is shown, and how much is suggested/talked about? Do you think all of the sexual content was necessary to the story?
How is violence used to suggest war-torn Afghanistan? How effective is it? Does it detract from the humor? Add to it?
What does it mean for Salima to win on Afghan Star? How is her victory different from that of a contestant on American Idol in the United States?
Is Richie Lanz likable, despite his many faults? Why or why not? What does he have in common with Murray's other characters?
Movie details
- In theaters: October 23, 2015
- On DVD or streaming: February 2, 2016
- Cast: Bill Murray, Kate Hudson, Leem Lubany
- Director: Barry Levinson
- Studio: Open Road Films
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 100 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: language including sexual references, some drug use and brief violence
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