Hilarious, uproariously so – that’s the verdict after watching Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. A lonely child, traumatized by the death of his brilliant brother and then wanting to learn the blues is hardly a subject for comedy but that’s the way it is with this movie and what a laugh it’s turned out to be! For Judd Apatow, things just couldn’t get better. Knocked Up to Superbad and now Walk Hard. And he’s done it again – reached the pinnacle of silliness and how welcome that is!

The story now. It’s the story of Dewey Cox whose brother Nate dies and leaves him sad and lonely. Nate was brilliant and Dewey tries hard to walk the same path. He learns the blues and suddenly is pitch forked into the rock and roll revolution, making him a star and leading him to a world of vice, women and excessive spending. Caught in the whirligig of this tempting new world, his marriage fails and life goes into a downward spin till he meets Darlene Madison played by Jenna Fisher. Fresh-faced, good and girl next door, she’s just what the fairytale ordered. However, the music in him seems to have died after all the abuse he has subjected himself to and one is left with the question: Will he ever make music again?

The storyline seems very familiar and runs the way of many true stories that have been made into movies: shades of Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan. Only it doesn’t run true to form and is more in the nature of a parody or a spoof. There seems to be a funny take on anyone and everything. And right through to the very last hilarious frame, Apatow and co-writer Jake Kasdan just don’t put a foot wrong. There’s Jack White and his crazy Elvis renditions, there’s Frank Muniz doing Buddy Holly, there’s Tim Meadows with his gag about drugs. Together, the two writers play this comedy like a perfect concerto, hitting all the right notes at the right times.

The acting is flawless and each one of them, from Raymond J. Barry and Riley and Fischer all play out their parts delightfully. Those who are familiar with Hollywood themes will have a reference point for this bizarre take off and see the humor. Those who don’t will still be entertained and amused. That is the greatness of this film – it can stand on its own as well.

So all one can say is clever, very clever. Every scene, every dialogue is used to make you laugh. Can we call it the funniest film of the year? Judging by the amusement barometer, it is, by far!