Vinyl

In this scrappy Welsh comedy, a has-been punk rocker runs an end-around on the music industry and scores the last laugh. Inspired by a true story, director Sara Sugarman's Vinyl stars Phil Daniels as Johnny Jones, former leader of the Weapons of Happiness, a group who had gold records in the 1980s before imploding. Now he lives in a trailer with his girlfriend, who longs to get pregnant, although luck hasn't been on their side. The funeral of a mate brings Johnny back in touch with band members Minto (Keith Allen), Robbie (Perry Benson), and Griff (Chris Turner), who still blame Johnny for the breakup, but put their grievances aside to bash out a drunken tune, which Robbie records. The next day, Johnny listens to the song, decides it's a hit, and takes it to his former label, which displays no interest in a bunch of middle-aged musicians. So Johnny puts together a group of teen players, including singer Drainpipe (Jamie Blackley), dubs them the Single Shots, and shops the same song. Minto, a wedding photographer, handles the press photos, while Griff, a funeral home director, takes care of expenses. And sure enough, the song's a success. The soap opera stuff about infertility and paternity doesn't quite work, but the ageism of the record industry gets a nice satiric punch. Mike Peters of the Alarm—who inspired the character of Johnny—provides the songs, which accurately evoke peak-era punk bands like the Buzzcocks and the Stranglers. A strong optional purchase. (K. Fennessy)