Since the early ‘80s, comedy musician “Weird Al” Yankovic (“Tacky”) has cemented himself as a pop culture icon with his legendary parodies, original songs and abundant appearances in films, television and other forms of media. With a career as illustrious and repertoire as outlandish as his, it is only fitting he eventually received a “totally true” biopic treatment through “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.”
Starring Daniel Radcliffe (“The Lost City”) as the eponymous singer, “Weird” showcases a heavily fictionalized account of Yankovic’s life and career. In the true spirit of the accordion-wielding singer, the film parodies a plethora of genre conventions and musical biopics a la “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “The Doors.”
Bolstered by the musician’s token wacky, juvenile humor, “Weird” shines in the moments where it does not take itself too seriously. From blatant jabs at formulaic biopics to tongue-in-cheek references to and depictions of Yankovic’s songs and career, the film pulls no punches in its pursuit to be as zany and irreverent as possible.
However, slightly contrived conflicts and its sparse attempts at being emotional provide for a few minor lulls in excitement throughout “Weird.” In comparison to past Yankovic-centric films like “UHF,” this farcical biopic feels slightly more grounded on account of its half-hearted dramatic moments. However, its scattershot humor delivers on a considerable scale, thus rendering the film to be mostly successful in capturing its subject’s heart and eccentricity.
Though its satire is brimming with wackiness and personality, there are times where it feels as though “Weird” falls into the genre-related trappings it intends to lampoon. Namely, Yankovic’s character occasionally meshes with the generic ‘unruly musician’ archetype he is parodying, thus resulting in moments where the gleefully bizarre performer fans have come to love is replaced by an insufferable figure. However, these moments are significantly overshadowed by Radcliffe’s madcap, ironically suave performance which dominates the majority of his time on screen.
Along with Radcliffe comes an expansive band of supporting players and celebrity cameos sure to excite viewers with both their own starpower and that of the personalities whom they portray. Most notably, Evan Rachel Wood (“Viena and the Fantomes”) takes on the role as a deviously villainous Madonna (“Material Girl”), serving as a corrupting influence on Yankovic during his rise to fame. Equally, if not more, delightfully bizarre appearances come from notable names like Jack Black (“Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood”) as radio personality Wolfman Jack (“American Graffiti”) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (“In the Heights”) as an ER doctor, among a slew of other stars. Yankovic himself even appears as a stingy record producer, taking on perhaps his most serious role, albeit in a deadpan style which maintains his humorous disposition.
In observance of “Weird’s” satirical framing and willingness to exist just for the fun of it, Yankovic fans may rejoice for a film which does the parody artist almost every possible justice. Honoring his oddly specific craft and quirky presence, the film embodies practically everything about the singer that makes him so special, thus illuminating the qualities which have elevated him to his status as an unconventional pop culture phenomenon.
Image from alyankovic via YouTube
