When I first heard of Anvil! The Story of Anvil, I thought it was a mockumentary -- someone's attempt to update and pay homage to This Is Spinal Tap. Nope, it's actually about real-life heavy metallers Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner, together known as the band "Anvil."

Formed and primed during the music genre's rise in the '80s and apparently considered a pioneer by their now-more-famous peers (Metallica, Poison, Scorpion, etc.), the Anvil duo somehow missed the fame boat -- but they've also never stopped making albums (albeit without much push from their minor record labels). Though their sound doesn't seem to have evolved, neither have they quit pursuing the idea of making a living from their artistic endeavors. Therefore, the story of Anvil is one of pursuing your dream, no matter how much you starve, how much family you may alienate, and how little audience you have to perform before.

This is an underdog movie from start to finish, where the heroes are weirdly cheerworthy due to Kudlow's innate lovability (the guy just never stops believing, no matter how frustrating things get) and Reiner's rather intriguing mix of perspective and persistence. You'll learn nothing new here about chasing the dream, but this non-fiction story may convince you to make room in your heart to appreciate the combination of earnestness and doggedness that some people maintain, despite the possibility there will be no reward except fulfillment of one's own passion. (Capsule review)

(Released by Abramorama and VH1 Films; not rated by MPAA.)

Review also posted at www.windowtothemovies.com .