‘The Dirt’ Holds Nothing Back on the Craziness of Mötley Crüe

This is a raunchy movie, and most definitely not one a Father will want to sit through with their daughter, and I’m not just talking little girls either. The Dirt holds nothing back. Motley Crue wanted the movie for The Dirt to be as close to their memoir as possible, and it accomplishes that. If something from book is portrayed, its portrayed with blatant and gratuitous accuracy in the movie. It takes little time to get right into sex stuff, just like the recount of Vince Neil does on the first page of The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band. If a cheering party crowd whooping it up for a squirting orgasm makes you uncomfortable, strap in because that ride is just getting started. Drug use, lapping up urine, snorting ants, sex, sex, and more sex, is all part of the truths of this band, the book, and a different time. The movie stars Douglas Booth as Nikki Sixx, Machine Gun Kelly as Tommy Lee, Daniel Webber as Vince Neil, and Iwan Rheon as Mick Mars.There is one scene stealer which I bet will walk away with some kind of award for her performance, and that’s Kamryn Ragdsale who plays the 1995 version of Vince’s daughter Skylar. Any Crue fan knows how her story ends, and warning, when you see it you’d better have something handy to wipe your eyes.

Here’s what you’ll take away about the 4 guys. Mick is funny, and a hell of a lot smarter than the other 3. Tommy really was a big goofy kid just out to make music, play live, and have fun. Vince was a whore-dog, but with more heart than anyone who encountered the real-life drunk obnoxious version of Vince would every have believed (we also come away with a better understanding about why Vince went down such a self-destructive path.) As for Nikki? What a mess. A true Crue fan will attest it is amazing he’s still alive today, but after seeing this account you’ll be astounded he’s still alive today.

There’s a little bit of time jumping going on as it fast forwards from Vince leaving in ’92, to a brief moment with John Corabi on vocals, to a synopsis of the ’98 split with Electra, to the 2005 reunion. One whimsical omission is the 2001 release of the book “The Dirt,” which is completely ignored in this movie. Plus there’s no Pam Anderson references to be found anywhere so despite all the sex scenes, the most famous one involving any one of the Crue boys is likely left out for its lack of significance to this Crue storyline, but even more likely, legal reasons.

So if you’re looking a wholesome, heart-warming, nostalgic romp through a less politically correct time, this isn’t it. If you want an unfiltered historically accurate look at 80s excess, rock ‘n’ roll decadence, AND how NOT to treat women---this is it. Just have the “Dr. Feelgood” album handy because you’ll want to hear it once your viewing is done. The Dirt will remind you just how many good songs Motley Crue made…except maybe for during that whole John Corabi period. Sorry JC fans, I’m just dog-piling on the spirit of the movie. The songs during that period weren’t really THAT bad. Were they?