The Dirt (2019) review

Based on the book by Neil Strauss - who wrote The Game about pickup artists, which is uncomfortably fascinating ... and icky - this is about the formation of notorious L.A.-based rock and roll band Mötley Crüe - Tommy Lee (Machine Gun Kelly), Nikki Sixx (Douglas Booth), Mick Mars (Iwan Rheon) and Vince Neil (Daniel Webber) - and their rampant drug abuse and anti-social antics.  One would think with director Tremaine having a background with the Jackass crew - and their own extreme pranks - this would have more vitality and impulsiveness to it, but it plays like a traditional biopic (like Bohemian Rhapsody from last year), with each member of the band having his own respective problems - Nikki has parent issues, Mick has health issues, Vince has a sick daughter, Tommy can't stop philandering - and then squeezing in the guys' lowest moments (Vince's car accident, Ozzy snorting ants and lapping up pee, Nikki OD'ing), their textbook break-up and their expected reunion.  It's gotten trounced critically - and maybe deservedly so (woo! hedonism!) - but I think the performances are good, particularly Kelly (born Richard Colson Baker) as the lanky and gawky Lee. Did I mention the movie makes light out of how many times these guys attacked other people, especially women?  I guess when you're this "rock 'n' roll" you never have to say you're sorry....