Rockers

"The rich is getting richer every day" bemoans one singer in this 1977 Jamaican film making its newly remastered appearance on video and DVD. Life moves to a funky beat on Kingston's tough streets, and while there's plenty of poverty, it's also true that the music, sun, and laid back manner of the residents takes the edge off. A rather plotless effort, Rockers follows the exploits of real life reggae rocker Leroy (Horsemouth) Wallace, who shares a cramped apartment with his wife and kids. When Horsey, who plays drums at a local club and helps make ends meet by peddling records, becomes the victim of a corrupt club owner who conspires to steal Horsey's motorbike, Horsey plots revenge and ends up playing Robin Hood to the residents of Kingston's ghetto. While the film has many faults--the pace is a bit pokey, the social criticism seems trivial, the Rasta patois is quite difficult to understand, and the white subtitled translation often fades into a white background--the music is the main attraction here, and newcomers to this sound may find themselves grooving to the reggae beat. Recommended, overall. (S. Rees)