Kenneth Turan ‘Walk Hard’

At this dreary time of year, what could be more welcome than a smart and genial comedy that’s intent on making you laugh and knows how to do it? “Walk Hard” is that film, and its gleeful skewering of American popular music in general and biopics like “Walk the Line” and “Ray” in particular understands that humor comes from loving your source material and knowing it inside out. “Walk Hard” also benefits from being written for the exceptional John C. Reilly, one of the few dramatic actors who has a true gift for comedy. And he can sing too, monumental spoofs as clever as they are melodic. That, as they say, is entertainment.