SCHOOL OF ROCK (2003) 3 1/2 stars out of 4. Starring Jack Black, Joan
Cusack, Mike White, Sarah Silverman, Joey Gaydon Jr., Maryam Hassan,
Kevin Clark, Rebecca Brown, Robert Tsai, Caitlin Hale, Aleisha Allen,
Miranda Cosgrove and Brian Falduto. Written by Mike White. Directed by
Richard Linklater. Rated PG-13.
Jack Black propels himself from supporting actor to star player with
his manic portrayal in the subversive comedy, School of Rock.
Written by Mike White (The Good Girl) and directed by Richard Linklater
(Dazed and Confused), School of Rock could have been blown off the stage
by sour notes in lesser hands. But White and Linklater keep the
sentiment at a minimum and plug into Black's strengths, which first
brought him to attention in High Fidelity.
Black plays overly-committed rocker Dewey Finn, who exhibits more drive
and passion than talent. Kicked out of his band and threatened with
eviction by the henpecked roommate, Ned (White), he has been mooching
off for years, Dewey borrows Ned's name and his job as a substitute
teacher at a high-class prep school.
At first Dewey is content allowing his 10-year-olds to have a full day
of recess, but when he discovers they have musical talent, he organizes
the class into a rock band, complete with costume designer, security and
groupies, in order to enter and win a battle of the bands.
Along the way, he loosens up his charges, teaches them about the
history of rock 'n' roll and gives them an education and appreciation of
the music.
Black rocks as Dewey, simply because he refuses to treat the kids like
children. Linklater eschews any sentimentality, holding what little
there is in check.
Dewey's wild-eyed commitment to the music drives the film, as he
explains to his youngsters that rock is a form of rebellion, a way of
sticking it to "the Man."
The interaction between Black and the young actors comprising his class
is rock solid. The kids teeter on archetypes -- the snooty grade-grubber
who becomes the band's manager, the shy, overweight girl who finds
self-confidence through singing, the uptight, parent-bullied guitarist
who breaks out of his shell via his playing -- but they are a winning
team of young performers.
Joan Cusack gives another of her wonderful comic turns as the prep
school's tightly wound principal who seems always on the edge of a
nervous breakdown, but who melts to the vocals of Stevie Nix.
White has written some sharp dialogue. At one point, Dewey denies his
slacker status claiming that like his substitute-teacher roommate his
single-minded focus on keeping the true spirit of rock alive is serving
society.
The film's only discordant note comes from comedian Sarah Silverman,
who is too naggish and shrill as Ned's pushy girlfriend who despises
Dewey and wants him out of their lives.
School of Rock is a treat, a delight, a wonderful duet of comedy and
music that will have you laughing and tapping your toes simultaneously.
Bob Bloom is the film critic at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette,
IN. He can be reached by e-mail at bbloom@journalandcourier.com or at
bobbloom@iquest.net. Other reviews by Bloom can be found at
www.jconline.com by clicking on movies.
Bloom's reviews also appear on the Web at the Rottentomatoes Web site,
www.rottentomatoes.com and at the Internet Movie Database:
http://www.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Bob+Bloom
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X-RT-RatingText: 3.5/4
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