Art of a Hit is listed as a “rock-horror film” in some correspondence I read and on IMDb, the film is listed as a “horror and music” film. There is some emphasis on “horror” but for most horror film fans, be aware that this is horror – lite, with the emphasis on drama that exists throughout the script. The scenes of horror are good, but limited and this film is so much more a drama from start to finish. The lack of more horror scenes does not take away from the film, but it is disappointing if that is the film entertainment the viewer is looking for.
Directed by Gaelan Draper, the film was co-written and produced by Charlie Saxton and Draper. It was shot on-location in Dordogne, France and features an original soundtrack with music by indie rock band Jets to Brazil. Saxton and Draper first met 15 years ago while shooting the musical comedy Bandslam (also starring Vanessa Hudgens and Aly Michalka) and channeled their love of working and playing in bands together into the creation of Art of a Hit.
About: Struggling to regain visibility a decade after the band’s prime, lead singer Ryan (Ryan Donowho) accepts eccentric super-producer’s Charlie Dupont (Charlie Saxton)’s invite for the band to join him in a 1000-year-old French chateau to record a comeback album. But as tensions rise and tempers flare, Ryan and his bandmates realize they’re up against more than just the pressure to succeed.
Ryan (Ryan Donowho, The O.C.) gets the remaining Excelsis band members together to recreate the magic they once had before Miles (Rob Raco, “Riverdale” TV series) left to pursue a better career – solo. After ten years, Ryan has some backing, which gets them invited to record in a castle in Dordogne, France. Charlie Dupont (Charlie Saxton, “Betas” and “Hung” TV series) is the reclusive producer and author of the book “Art of a Hit.” Sounds like a dream, right? Even on the trip there, the band seems to thrive in drama – especially when the bank card is declined, more than once.
The band members consist of Cristin (Allie MacDonald, “Pacific Rim: The Black” TV series), Mat (James Earl, The Belko Experiment, Narcos: Mexico), Timmy (Tim Jo, “This Is Us” TV series This Is Us) and Miles’s replacement David (David Valdes, Last the Night, (“Snatchers” TV series). They all turn in adequate performances for the dialogue they are givnc and the characters they portray. Saxton does a very good job of portraying reclusive, aside from being a bit threatening. He does warn them to stay out of one area of the castle, but we know that is a huge clue someone will end up there. I was disappointed at the end of that scene, but maybe other viewers will like it. The castle setting has so much to offer though and the cinematographer, Joe Simon, does provide some very good scenes despite the story. There is one sound made to be driving one of the characters mad, but it was more annoying to me after a while.
This is not a bad film, and I would suggest it for the music and anyone who wants to dip their toes watching a few horror scenes before the ones arrive in a month or so.
Art of a Hit will be available on VOD and Digital Platforms on Tuesday, August 20th.
Source: Giant Pictures
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