I had never heard of Silibil ‘n’ Brains, but knowing this was James McAvoy’s directorial debut I had to check it out. It’s based on a true story, and it’s very entertaining.

Gavin (Seamus McLean Ross) and Billy (Samuel Bottomley) are just a couple of blokes from Dundee, Scotland. They dream big, and those dreams involve them being hip-hop stars.

When they head to London for an open audition, they are literally laughed at. So the pair come up with an idea, get rid of their Scot accents, and pretend to be from Callifornia. Within moments, they find themselves with meetings, gigs, and a record deal.

They have a huge plan, show up on MTV’s The Hook, and then reveal the ridiculousness of the music industry, by revealing they are, not American, but Scots. But fame begins to go to Gavin’s head, and he isn’t quite willing to let that go.

Alternately funny and troubling, the film does look at the music industry and the rightful skewering it needs, but also the problems that fame, and its pursuit can cause.

There are moments when Ross’ performance and presence seem to have the manic energy one associates with David Patrick Kelly. There’s an edge to it as Gavin starts to skate the line of fame, greed and madness.

McAvoy, who also has a small role in the film, delivers a solid film, filled with energy, and he balances the fine line of humour and drama with apparent ease. He gets a fantastic performance from Ross as Gavin teeters closer and closer to the edge before everything comes falling down.

It’s really well done, and it’s just this fascinating bit of music history that I didn’t know anything about.

If that sounds like your jam, check it out next weekend. It plays on both Saturday and Sunday at the Scotiabank at 3:30pm and 8:50am respectively.