Here's a premise that will drive the postmodernists nuts: a tough local kid who became a pop star and then an actor plays the fictionalized version of a tough local kid who pretends to be a pop star and then becomes one. Based on the true story of Judas Priest vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (though the band disclaim the connection and the filmmakers no longer acknowledge it), the film stars a perfunctory Mark Wahlberg as Chris Cole, leader of Blood Pollution, Pittsburgh's top Steel Dragon tribute band. Cole has less a Dionysian than a fetishistic attitude toward rock: it's neither self-expression nor narcissistic exhibitionism he craves but meticulous re-creation. This gets on the nerves of his bandmates, who dream of someday performing original material, and they dump him. But Cole has great pipes (it's Boogie Nights, but with a big voice), and when Steel Dragon dump their lead singer for being too "original," he gets the gig and his fantasy becomes reality.

Or does it? For a while Rock Star has fun with its reality/simulation game, and director Stephen Herek uncorks some clever trompe-l'oeil gags including a surreal scene with rival cover bands in full costume duking it out in a parking lot. But in the end wit and irony give way to cliché, as the decadent rock-star life breaks up Cole's relationship with long-time flame Emily (Jennifer Aniston, hardnosed and funny) and everybody ends up in Seattle. Do I sense a grunge sequel? Let's see how the soundtrack album does. At the Entertainment, Flagship, and Showcase cinemas.