Before hitting the big time with winners like "Backdraft" and "Apollo 13," actor/director Ron Howard (along with his brother, Clint) put together this made-for-TV fluff about a group of misfits trying to put together a successful rock band. Behind the music lies a coming of age story, especially between the group's lead singer and the female drummer.

Some scenes in this movie are more excruciating than others: Clint's sensitive love interest picks him up for their first date in her little red Volkswagen...he terrifyingly asks her for a goodnight kiss...he woos her with a love song while taking a break outside the burger place where he works...and our noble knight rides around on a bike instead of a horse. Their arch rivals, a band of too-cool primadonna rock stars, are lead by a flawless rich kid who looks like he's never had a hair out of place in his whole life.

As if this wasn't hard enough to watch, most of the music in this movie wouldn't even last 10 seconds on "The Gong Show." Not only does this flick assault your intelligence but your hearing as well. Somehow, in spite of all this mushiness and din, this film still drew me in just because it was so innocent and naive...it didn't expect the viewer to think much, and it is realistic enough to capture some genuine adolescent awkward moments. It is a good movie to watch before going back to high school reunions.