School of Rock (2003)

School of Rock (Dir: Richard Linklater, 2003). 

Jack Black is in family friendly mode for this kinda broader comic version of Dead Poets Society (Peter Weir, 1989).

School of Rock (A late name change means the on screen title remains The School of Rock) is the tale of would be rock star Dewey Finn. Kicked out of his band and in need of cash, Dewey posses as a substitute teacher and takes a job at a fancy prep school. With no background in education he firsts lets the students do as they please in lessons. On hearing their performance in music class he seizes the opportunity to form the kids into a rock band and enter them in to a battle of the bands contest, without the prior approval of the parents or the school Principal (Joan Cusack).

Let’s be honest, the plot involves a great deal of suspension of disbelief. But it is so warm-hearted, well played and genuinely funny that you won’t really care. 

Black is on top form as inward-looking slacker Dewey. The kind of character he excels at; somebody you wouldn’t necessarily want to meet, but a lot of fun to watch on screen. Joan Cusak too is great as the uptight school head who gradually starts to loosen up. 

School of Rock represented something of a leap into the mainstream for director Richard Linklater. Yet he brings his indie sensibilities with him in a production refreshingly free from the glossy slickness of many kid friendly films. The kids give natural performances, never schmaltzy and the film never descends into the cheap sentiment that family movies all too often do. 

School of Rock is that rare beast, a film for kids and grownups (or big kids) that doesn’t patronise either end of the spectrum. I often despair at uninteresting kids movies that slip in a few inappropriate gags for adults. School of Rock doesn’t do that. This is escapist fun that can be enjoyed by all ages on the same level.