Black Country rockers Judas Priest were a bit miffed when film producer Robert Lawrence wanted to tell their story.

It wasn't the lurid tales of groupies, the allegations of devil-worship or even the drugs...it was the fact their lead singer came out of the closet and quit the band.

In addition, their desire to pluck a leather-clad clone from a JP tribute band as a replacement caught Lawrence's imagination.

He said the idea was "extremely intriguing" - despite the threat of a writ from Walsall's heaviest metal muthas and hostility from a whole legion of fans.

Rock Star is the result - a full-blooded tale of the excessive rock'n'roll world of spandex, Gibson Flying Vs (that's a guitar) and cranium-busting power chords.

Former New Kid on the Block Mark Wahlberg is Chris Cole, the tribute band singer who worships at the feet of Steel Dragon frontman Billy Beers (Flemyng).

When Beers calls last orders and flounces out, Chris is flown to LA from blue collar Pittsburgh to audition for the band.

But - unfashionably for a heavy metal god - Chris toddles into his town with longtime girlfriend Emily (Aniston) on his arm.

After a triumphant debut, both he and Emily tumble headlong into the debauched Steel Dragon's lair - a place where even Caligula would call the social services.

However, it's not long before Emily realises what the life of a rock'n'roll wife is all about...and Chris finds himself losing touch with reality as the constant availability of sex and drugs take their toll.

"I thought you were in Seattle," he says to Emily during his birthday party. "We are in Seattle," comes the despairing reply.

For those who have embarrassing recollections of the overblown world of eighties heavy rock, this film will hit a chord (preferably a loud one on a 1958 Fender Stratocaster).

Even if you don't there is much to enjoy: Tim Spall as the sleazy road manager, Dagmara Dominczyk as the ball-breaking PA and Dominic West as poodle-permed bandleader Kirk Cuddy.

The plot is merely workmanlike but the scintillating attention to detail is what makes the film so appealing. So why is bassist Jorgen dismantling his hotel room? "His wife left him for Peter Gabriel." Long live rock'n'roll.