Writer-director-star Ari Gold multitasks his short shorts off in Adventures of Power, a triumphant tale of a misfit who searches for his spotlight. Power is a drumming enthusiast, except he’s never owned drums. Idolizing Neil Peart of the Canadian rock band Rush, Power has air-drummed his way through life. To the dismay of his dad (Michael McKean) but with the support of this aunt Joni (Jane Lynch), Power sets out on his quest to prove that air-drumming is too legit to quit.
During his adventure Power meets other air-drumming enthusiasts. Some even take to it underground much like cockfighting . He joins an crew in Newark who are training for a big competition with a cash prize valued at a staggering $2,000, but standing in the way is an old rival in the form of mainstream recording artist Dallas Houston (an almost unrecognizable Adrian Grenier).
As you can imagine this is a music-centric comedy, and fortunately the palette is varied and all encompassing. Featured hit songs include “Kyrie” from Mr. Mister, “Let it Whip” by the Dazz Band, and Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight”. That’s just to name a few. There’s also a score by Ethan Gold—keeping Adventures of Power a family affair. No doubt one of the best throwback soundtracks of recent memory.
For a modest, truly American independent film Adventures of Power is surprisingly well produced. The audio is clear, visual effects are on par, lighting is fantastic, with cinematography and editing as sharp as any contemporary comedy. I view hundreds of independent films on an annual basis, and very few American movies are able to pass off a theatrical-worthy appearance and sound.
The most personable figure in the film is Annie (Shoshannah Stern), a devout Christian with a tragic past. Her experience with rock and roll is the opposite of Power’s and it’s almost equally heartbreaking that she’s stuck with such a one-note guy. Writer-director-star Gold may have over extended himself. The directorial effort greatly outshines the development of his own character. It would be easy to dismiss Power as a clone of Napoleon Dynamite, but the latter is more quotable. Power may be too purposely likeable, so much so that an audience would rather root against him.
I think in a comedy about a misfit there needs to be normal folks and that something missing from Adventures of Power. So where Napoleon is an outcast at school, Power finds too many likeminded fools to nest with and in doing so there isn’t a straight man to receive the comic mischief. No matter where Power goes in the course of the film, there’s someone who admires air-drumming. It’s almost as though his hometown is in a cave on the moon. As outlandish as the concept is, I think a more serious, drama-spoofing approach would have paid off with more laughter. Look at co-star McKean’s This is Spinal Tap as a prime example.
Independent films are usually full of surprises because their scripts don’t conform to the expectation laid out by studio heads. In the case of Adventures of Power this isn’t necessarily true and a traditional formula plays itself out. Of course our hero will meet a girl, exceed his expectations at the big show, and in the process find redemption. The shortcoming here is that the audience will be able to quickly draw correct conclusions.
By never making the joke on Power, the movie retains a tone as a bright as the DVD’s cover art. It’s almost mystifying how this innocent comedy received a PG-13 with almost no violence and not a sexual reference… that is aside from the word “gay” being used to describe clothing. Adventure of Power has the music and enthusiasm that will put you in a good mood. You’ll find yourself air-drumming along. **½
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