Plot
The world's least-employable heavy metal guitarist is entrusted with the minds of upstate New York's best and brightest in this fish-out-of-water comedy. Jack Black plays Dewey Finn, axe-bearer for a fitfully successful bar band determined to win a regional battle-of-the-bands competition. There's only one thing standing in their way: the self-indulgent solos and crowd-diving antics of their "embarrassing" lead guitarist. When his band votes him out in favor of a would-be rock god, Dewey has to make the rent somehow, and after intercepting a call for his substitute-teacher roomie Ned (Mike White), the pot-bellied slacker finds himself in front of a class of elite elementary school students. At a loss for a lesson plan, Dewey takes offense at the pre-teen prodigies' staid musical regimen and makes it his goal to preach them the gospel of The Who, Led Zeppelin, and AC/DC -- with the ulterior motive of getting them to compete against his former band for a cash prize. But no matter how willing his pupils, Dewey runs up against the consternation of the school's stern headmistress Principal Mullins (Joan Cusack), the battle-of-the-bands' promoter (Frank Whaley), and not least, his identity-deprived roomie Ned. ~ Michael Hastings, RoviReview
School of Rock is a hilarious combination of several standard-formula plot elements that wouldn't have added up to much were it not for the uniquely quirky performance of Jack Black, the endearing children in his "rock" class, the direction of Richard Linklater, and the well-written script by Mike White. That such tired plot lines as a teacher inspiring his students through an "experimental" teaching style (learning his own valuable lessons along the way, of course) and a band preparing for an inevitable Battle of the Bands finale actually come across as refreshing and fun is a testament to the quality of the film's execution. The children are genuine and likable and Jack Black has a natural rapport with them -- who ever thought that Black would prove such an inspirational and understanding mentor? Yes, the story is preposterous, but the message of bringing out the best in kids through positive reinforcement -- and the "power of rock" -- is real and heartfelt. Black's comedic antics are hilarious -- at once reined in by Linklater and let free by the essential spotlight that the film offers him. The School of Rock is Black's first moment to shine and truly take center stage in a film, and he does it with ease. The witty script by Mike White is great at relating the joys and importance of rock music and at avoiding stereotypes beyond most characters' first introductions (though the Liza Minnelli-loving effeminate student [Brian Falduto] and the evil-girlfriend [Sarah Silverman] are noticably one-dimentional in comparison the the others). In particular, Joan Cusack's role as the strict and uptight principal is refreshing, in that it does not resort to the clichéd evil disciplinarian gig throughout. Her character is humanized and, almost miraculously, is saved from being forced into an incredulous romantic plot line with the lead. Also noteworthy is the fact that the children -- who, in addition to acting ability, were cast based on their musical talents and skills -- are actually playing their respective instruments throughout the film. The School of Rock is an enjoyable movie that should have mass appeal, even beyond the hardcore Jack Black fans or rock aficionados. ~ Dana Rowader, RoviCast
- Jack Black - Dewey Finn
- Joan Cusack - Principal Rosalie Mullins
- Mike White - Ned Schneebly
- Sarah Silverman - Patty
- Jordan-Claire Green - Michelle
Credit
Adam Scher - Art Director, Ilene Starger - Casting, Karen Patch - Costume Designer, Sam Hoffman - First Assistant Director, Michelle Keiser - First Assistant Director, Richard Linklater - Director, Sandra Adair - Editor, Steve Nicolaides - Executive Producer, Scott Aversano - Executive Producer, Craig Wedren - Composer (Music Score), Randall Poster - Musical Direction/Supervision, Jeremy Conway - Production Designer, Rogier Stoffers - Cinematographer, Scott Rudin - Producer, Karin Wiesel - Set Designer, Jeffrey Stern - Sound/Sound Designer, Richard Linklater - Screenwriter, Mike White - Screenwriter| School of Life (2005 Film), School of Duel: Learn Yu-Gi-Oh - New Duelist (2003 Film) | |
| School of the Holy Beast (1974 Film), School's Out (1930 Film) |
Copyright © 2012 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Movie Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.
