The trend of biopics continues. In actuality, I cannot be sure of where it really started. About as far back as I can recall, these types of movies have always existed, in some shape or form. However, it truly seems as though the frequency as turned up in the more recent years. Could I be wrong? Well, of course, but let us proceed with my premise anyhow…
The moment I heard that there would be a biopic about the great Weird Al, born under the name of Alfred Matthew Yankovic, I was more than mildly intrigued. After all, despite my position as a slightly-above-casual listener, my level of appreciation for his: creativity, talent (and occasional) genius brand of humor has rarely wavered over the years. Before I continue, to clear the air, I do NOT think you have to be a Weird Al fan to get enjoyment out of this movie. So, if you have any reservations, try and let them go beforehand.
“Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” was directed and co-written by Eric Appel (feature directorial debut); the other writer being Weird Al, himself. The list of producers is a great number, but the most notable among them is Timothy Headington, a billionaire and oil man, who has a filmography of 30 or so film credits to his name. Could it get any more American than that? 
Headlining the cast, full of numerous cameos, is Daniel Radcliffe (“The Lost City”) as the titular character. Some time in between the announcement of the release for this film and the actual viewing of it, I read about Weird Al’s approval of Radcliffe as he in the role. It could not have been more positive. Not far behind this headline are the parts played by: Evan Rachel Wood (“Viena and the Fantomes”) as Madonna and Rainn Wilson (“Jerry & Marge Go Large”) as Dr. Demento. In their own ways, they are every bit as affective as Radcliffe, especially once you get used to the overall approach of the movie. IF you can get used to it…
The opening hits hard with an already familiar image of Weird Al for those who know his music videos well enough. However, like almost everything else in the film, context takes front and center stage and it is pushed to the limits, quite literally. A quick rewind takes us to the beginning of Weird Al’s life, BEFORE he was known as such. Is that hard to imagine for anyone else? Toby Huss (“Blonde”) and Julianne Nicholson (also, “Blonde”) portray his parents, Nick and Mary. They are rigid and cold; nothing like Weird Al’s actual parents. Just allow your mind to let go of the truth and accept this alternate universe as soon as you can. 
The most hilarious proposition is the idea that playing an accordion and attending a polka party are somehow equivalent to learning the electric guitar and going to a strip club. In your dreams, nerds! I say this because I am one, myself.
By this time, I began to question wether or not a biopic could really be considered a biopic if it is this far away from the actual story, but if you take a look at the Wiki page for “Weird,” it does not claim to be a biopic. Rather, it is a biographical parody film. Could this be the start of a new sub-genre of an already played out sub-genre? I wish I knew, but one can be curious and/or hopeful, too, yes?
One of my favorite details in the making of this movie was the choice to dub Weird Al’s singing voice into all of the performances throughout the film. I am ready to concede a foolish assumption if that turns out not to be the case, but from what I observed, this has to be the truth. Fast-forward into the 1980s and THIS version of Weird Al has not only popularized the musical styling he is known for today, but he has inspired other, great musicians to do the same. 
As a result, a very unsuspecting star has dropped out of the sky and decided to go after Al. I wonder if the real Weird Al had his own set of fantasies he wished to have fulfilled and why not? It IS his film, technically.
In my opinion, the movie went a little bit too far off the proverbial rails for its own good. Once Al went on action-packed ride to Pablo Escobar’s palace so he could rescue his beloved, I was about ready to see the story draw to a close. However, this was where everything was reined back in and won be back over. Weird Al made peace with his odd parents and found new inspiration for the music we still knew him for, but at a slightly different place in the timeline, which has been grossly shortened. No, I am not going to give anything else away at this time. Just enjoy it and remember what the approach to this story was from the beginning. I believe it made for an excellent payoff.
Overall, I liked “Weird” for most of what it is. To me, that is enough to recommend it, even if you do not consider yourself a fan of his music. Most of us know who Weird Al is anyway, but now we have learned something quite new, which is entirely made up. That, my friends, is what makes it crafty; not just humorous. I am going to include as many cameos in the credit list as I can offer. Do yourself a favor and make note of them as you go along and have some fun, as well, damn it!
Director: Eric Appel
Screenwriters: Al Yankovic and Eric Appel
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Evan Rachel Wood, Rainn Wilson, Toby Huss, Julianne Nicholson, Spencer Trent Clark as Steve Jay, Arturo Castro as Pablo Escobar, Quinta Brunson as Oprah Winfrey, Weird Al Yankovic as Tony Scotti, Will Forte as Ben Scotti, Jack Black as Wolfman Jack, Conan O’Brien as Andy Warhol, Jorma Taccone as Pee-Wee Herman, Nina West as Divine, Akiva Schaffer as Alice Cooper, Demetri Martin as Tiny Tim, Paul F. Tompkins as Gallagher, David Dastmalchian as John Deacon and Emo Philips as Salvador Dali (yes, there are other cameo appearances, but it would spoil all the fun if I gave them all away here, would it not?)
Music by: Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson
Distributor: The Roku Channel
Release date: September 8th, 2022 (Toronto Independent Film Fest) and November 4th, 2022 (United States)
