Ordinary World

Ordinary World2016

  Billie Joe Armstrong Selma Blair Madisyn Shipman Judy Greer Chris Messina Dallas Roberts 

Sypnosis.

Perry, a former rock musician, faces the tenth anniversary of his band's breakup and still hasn't fully adjusted to the real world or to his job at his family's store. When his wife—a high-powered lawyer—and his daughter forget his 40th birthday, his brother takes pity on him and gives him the money he needs to throw a party worthy of a rock star at a luxury hotel in New York.

Ordinary World, 2016, director Lee Kirk

What message does a dynamic, simple, and entertaining film like this convey to us? It explores how we view the world—what we wish to transcend and what we dare to dream. It is a film—perhaps an underappreciated one—that serves as a vote for the future. It suggests that workaholism is contagious, bringing with it emotional and relationship troubles—whether one is married, divorced, separated, or in a committed partnership. Set in 1995, the story opens with an epilogue—a scene that transports us back to the 90s: the era of grunge and punk. Perry Miller, the protagonist, is an ordinary, everyday man whose demeanor lends him an aura of maturity—even when making frenetic decisions. His world collides when he discovers he is about to become a father to two children; it is at this moment that he makes the erratic decision to take a break. The opening scene exudes a distinct 90s vibe, featuring a slender young man with disheveled hair who appears utterly natural; singer and actor Billie Joe Armstrong performs in this opening sequence without the need for Auto-Tune or any software manipulation.   To make things feel as natural as possible—and to help people feel a sense of connection—let's talk about the 90s: an era when the grunge scene skyrocketed to fame thanks to Kurt, making anything seem possible. In 1994, however, it all went off the rails. Yet grunge didn't die; it simply transcended into a better era—the next generation.

As you can observe, the intended context is successfully established within its gritty setting—the rhythm, the melody, and the songs—evoking a raw, homemade quality reminiscent of Kurt Cobain during the height of the 90s. And not only that, but the atmosphere—set within a domestic home environment—highlights a young girl who has inherited her father's temperament and talent.
Is she following in his footsteps?
Where will this lead? The conclusion drawn is that this narrative serves to transform the mindset of any individual—specifically, by instilling the moral imperative to avoid repeating those same mistakes or squandering such immense talent. Much in the way that love can destroy you as the years go by—meaning that sometimes we find the "right person," the one who makes our world go round, only to let them slip away by accident, out of selfishness, or due to the excesses of fame—the film also explores the nature of error and pain: the anguish any musician might feel—the rage born of a misguided love, or perhaps the kind of love that eventually soothes those wounds as time passes. We either go mad or we get divorced. And while Perry presents a solid concept, a specific detail stands out: in 2010 or 2011—if memory serves correctly—Billie was battling alcohol and drug addiction, driven by his own fears and anxiety. There are pieces of this puzzle that fit perfectly with the real-life story of the actor, Billie Joe Armstrong. How truly profound can one become? Or is it merely a superficial bubble—so hazy and hollow? The lives of musicians were chaotic throughout the 1990s; yet, with Kurt’s death, the landscape of the grunge era shifted—he died, but he was reborn. Instantly, countless young people—impulsive youths or those facing troubles at home—found refuge in the genre. But they also found it in the excesses—a trap that weighed heavily on the musicians themselves, particularly the struggle to be a "cool dad" to their daughters. Musicians often sacrifice an entire lifetime: chasing fame instead of watching their children grow up, missing their birth, or simply turning a blind eye to the situation. Not all, perhaps, but certainly some musicians traversed these unfinished paths and faced destinies that seemed utterly unscripted—much like the great Steven Tyler, whose daughters grew up while he missed out on parts of their childhoods...In a sinister twist, life is but a fleeting moment—and the price of fame is steep: to lose an entire lifetime, regardless of one's talent? Or to lose your daughter's childhood? Perry thought and acted like a mature father, despite his young age. Throughout the film, few details were recounted, as the narrative focused primarily on the present—shifting from a twilight atmosphere to a somber, mournful tone. Perry's "wild life" came to an end the moment his first daughter was born. For years, he had dreamed of greatness—of reuniting with his family and his band. Rock never dies; grunge flows through the veins of every musician to this day. Yet nowadays, many are quicker to criticize singers who evolve within these raw, untamed genres than they are to critique reggaeton artists who can barely string three notes together to form a melody…

Soundtrack... 

Now for the music of a musical comedy, it was enriched in a spectral, dynamic and fun way by  The Ordinary World (2016) movie soundtrack, heavily featuring Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong, includes original punk-rock tunes and licensed tracks. Key songs include "Devil's Kind" by Armstrong, "Still Crazy" by The Exploding Hearts, "Figuring It Out" by SWMRS, and "Nothing Ever Happens" by And although we may scrape the bottom of the pot, love always triumphs over evil—or even lust itself.