The Dirt (2019)
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A biographical drama exploring the rise and debauchery of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe.
The story
In 1973, Frank Carlton Feranna Jr. walks away from his mother Deana after years of abuse and moves from Seattle to Los Angeles in 1978. After a failed attempt to connect with his biological father who abandoned the family at birth, Frank legally changes his name to "Nikki Sixx" in 1980. A year later, after a falling out with members of London at the Whisky a Go Go, Nikki befriends drummer Tommy Lee and reveals to him that he is forming a new band. Joining the band is guitarist Mick Mars, who has ankylosing spondylitis. The trio then recruit Tommy's high school friend Vince Neil from the cover band Rock Candy as lead vocalist, and after some brainstorming, the quartet name themselves Mötley Crüe.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film follows the trajectory of Mötley Crüe from their formation to their final show in 2015. After forming the band, they experience a brawl at their first gig at the Starwood but quickly begin selling out clubs in Los Angeles. They sign a five-album deal with Elektra Records and hire Doc McGhee as manager. During their first national tour, they receive advice from Ozzy Osbourne. The band eventually achieves platinum status and spends millions of dollars. Personal lives become tumultuous: Vince marries mud wrestler Sharise Ruddell, while Tommy faces conflict with his mother over his fiancée Roxie. In 1984, a car accident kills Hanoi Rocks drummer Razzle, leading to Vince's brief jail time. Nikki becomes addicted to heroin, leading to destructive behavior and the firing of McGhee. In 1987, Nikki survives a heroin overdose. The band enters rehab and rebounds in 1989 with the number one album Dr. Feelgood. However, touring takes a toll on Vince and Tommy, who return to drinking. Vince eventually leaves the band in 1992, replaced by John Corabi. The film depicts personal tragedies, including the death of Vince's daughter Skylar and Mick's struggle with ankylosing spondylitis. After negotiating for their song rights, the band reconciles with Vince and performs together for another 20 years until their final show on New Year's Eve 2015.
- First release year
- 2019
- Runtime (minutes)
- 108
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Jeff Tremaine
- Writers
- Rich Wilkes · writer; Amanda Adelson · writer
- Cast and characters
- Douglas Booth · Nikki Sixx; Colson Baker · Tommy Lee; Daniel Webber · Vince Neil; Iwan Rheon · Mick Mars; Pete Davidson · Tom Zutaut; David Costabile · Doc McGhee; Leven Rambin · Sharise Ruddell-Neil; Kathryn Morris · Deana Richards
- Genres
- biographical comedy-drama; musical
- Themes
- drug addiction; fame and excess; rehabilitation; family trauma
- Tone and mood
- nostalgic; foul-mouthed; debauchery
- Setting
- Los Angeles and Seattle, 1973-2015
- Premise and plot tags
- biographical; based on actual events; rock music; substance abuse
- Source material / true-story basis
- The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band (2001) by the band and Neil Strauss
- Reception
- The film received generally negative reviews from critics, who noted it lacked substance and hesitated to handle the band's more troubling history, though it may appeal to fans.
- Production trivia
- The film was in development hell for over a decade before being purchased by Netflix.; The real Mötley Crüe appears in archival footage during the ending credits.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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