Cristin, the drummer for the band in Gaelan Connell’s film Art of a Hit, casually remarks, “It’s just Art.” The ‘It’ in question is rock music; more specifically the angst-driven seeking type style and always a dangerous corporate sellout. Art of a Hit tells the story of a ’90s rock band frontman, Ryan (Ryan Dowowho), who is desperate for a hit record and fears irrelevance. The band label sends him to master producer Charlie (Charlie Saxton), who lives in a chateau in France that looks like a deserted version of the late Michael Jackson’s Neverland, to make a hit song.
The bandmates—arrogant guitarist Timmy (Timmy Jo), bassist David (David Valdes), keyboardist and hedonist Mat (James Earl), and drummer Cristin (Allie MacDonald)—are all trying for their best work while battling personal demons. Many seem to miss the influences of their original charismatic bass player, Miles (Rob Raco), who has gone on to a brilliant solo career. They forage through booze and drug-fueled moments, trying to find the catchy hook and inspiration, while oddly enough, they are tormented by the appearance of a demon. Is being relevant worth it? Past decisions have a cost on the future, and ultimately, is the journey worth the end?
“…are all trying for their best work while battling personal demons…they are tormented by the appearance of a demon.”
The film, for me, is based on several rock and roll myths, such as the eccentric producer Charlie, based on the genius maniac Phil Spector, who could manufacture hits and treat his artists like merde, such as making a guitar player do a riff on multiple takes for no apparent reason until he thought it was best, as he did with The Ramones. The idea of being in an exotic location in France, in a chateau, is drawn from the Rolling Stones’ legendary work on what would become the Exile on Main Street double album during angst-ridden, neurotic, drug-fueled, marathon sessions at Keith Richards’ rented chateau, Nellcôte, near Villefranche-sur-Mer, close to Nice.
Pretty fine influences for a cesspool of a story that turns into a version of Waiting for Godot, as all the people seem to be waiting for something to happen. The actors all have some witty lines and moments of rock and roll mayhem. The band has a huge dinner in the banquet room when David takes too much acid and crawls onto the table. David later has a narrow escape on the castle battlements late at night, trying to fly.
"…pretty fine influences for a cesspool of a story..."
