An Ordinary World is what you make it

A dedicated Green Day fan recently recommended the film Ordinary World to me, featuring the band’s track “Ordinary World” from the album Revolution Radio. On the surface, it doesn’t look like much - just a simple story about a forty-year-old trying to relive his young days in a punk-rock band. However, the simple plot makes for a clean delivery of a relatable message: An individual creates his own happiness by making a home out of the house he has.

A husband and father of two, the harsh reality of Perry’s boring life hits him on his fortieth birthday as he reminisces about days long lost with “the band.” Unsatisfied with his mediocre job at the family hardware store and distant in his relationships at home, he decides to throw himself an “awesome” birthday party with the old gang. Naturally, the grungy musician settles for no less than the presidential suite at New York City’s upscale Drake Hotel.

After lots of drama and confusion, the fog lifts as Perry realizes what he wants from his life.

The movie’s director, Lee Kirk, is known for The Man Who Invented the Moon (2003), Pants on Fire (2008), and The Giant Mechanical Man (2012).

The film stars Billie Joe Armstrong as Perry, best-known for his work with the bands Green Day and Pinhead Gunpowder. A lover of all instruments, the guitarist also plays the harmonica, piano, mandolin, saxophone, and drums. He’s accompanied by co-stars Selma Blair as wife Karen, Madisyn Shipman as daughter Salome, and Judy Greer as ex-girlfriend Christy.

Blair is best known for her roles in Cruel Intentions (1999), Legally Blonde (2001), and Dark Horse (2011). Young actress Shipman gained attention with her role as Kenzie Bell in the Nickelodeon sitcom Game Shakers. A talented actress in many genres, Greer has appeared on television shows such as Arrested Development, in romantic comedies such as 27 Dresses (2008), and as a published writer. She published her first book, I Don’t Know What You Know Me From: Confessions of a Co-Star, in 2014.

Additionally, Ordinary World features an appearance by singer, songwriter, and record producer Joan Jett.

Not surprisingly, the movie received mixed ratings: 5.6/10 from IMDb, 53% from Rotten Tomatoes, and 92% from Google Users. Due to the film’s lack of an intricate plot, interesting setting, or laughable moments, critics logically gave it less than ideal reviews. However, the ratings of Google Users reflect satisfaction on the part of viewers, who most likely enjoyed the movie for it’s relatable message and realistic depiction of, well, the “ordinary world” in which we live.

Released on October 14, 2016, the relatively short 86-minute movie manages to convey deep messages in a lighthearted way. For that reason, it’s well worth the audience’s time to watch and self-reflect.