The School of Rock Review
by Laura Clifford (laura AT reelingreviews DOT com)September 13th, 2003
THE SCHOOL OF ROCK
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Dewey Finn (Jack Black, "Orange County") is an unemployed wannabe rocker of such little consequence his own band gives him the boot. He lives with former bandmate Ned (Mike White, "The Goodbye Girl") who's gave up the old dream and became a teacher. Ned's shrewish new girlfriend Patty (Sarah Silverman, "Evolution") demands an end to Finn's freeloading so, forced to find a job, he impersonates Ned when Horace Green School calls looking for a substitute. Dewey begins his assignment by giving his class permanent recess but when he observes them in a music class a lightbulb is lit and his homeroom becomes "The School of Rock."
Indie director Richard Linklater ("Waking Life") and screenwriter Mike White ("The Good Girl") go commercial with a vehicle that showcases the talents of star Black. There is absolutely nothing original or surprising about "The School of Rock" but every gear clicks and the manic Black persona throws it into high gear.
Finn, excited by the musicianship he's witnessed, asks his class for their musical influences. Horrified by answers of Christina Aguilera, Puff Daddy and Liza Minelli, he launches into a (truly informative) history of rock 'n roll, including all its genres and subgenres. Soon when he asks the question 'What's rock really about?' 'Stickin' it to the man!' is the shouted response. Playing to his group of braniacs and nerds' strengths, he's living his fantasy as the leader of a band that includes a lead guitarist, drummer, synth player and backup singers supported by a manager, stage manager, roadies, groupies and costumer. He cozies up to the other teachers and gets the dope on Principal Mullins (Joan Cusack, "High Fidelity"), then plays her too. When his fraud is eventually uncovered, his class's momentum will not be denied and they hijack a school bus to compete in the local rock competition that Finn had been prepping them for.
Black, who began his career with rock parody Tenacious D, has the energy of an overgrown hyperactive kid. His utter lack of vanity and fearless capacity for foolishness serve him perfectly here. He channels John Belushi when, while looking in at the kids through a door's window pane, he does a 'wave' from the end of one eyebrow to the other and back again. Casting Black with a bunch of kids was a master stroke and they seem to love working with him. Miranda Cosgrove is the prim gold-starred bossy one who flourishes as the band manager. Robert Tsai is the serious synth player, convinced that he's uncool until Finn shows him otherwise. Kevin Alexander Clark is the confident mini-heartthrob who masters the drums and Joey Gaydos is Zack, the guitar soloist who is inspired to write his own songs.
There are no repercussions for the anti-establishment semester Finn has architected - a coda even provides him with a real job that reunites him with his class. "The School of Rock" is feel good, frivolous entertainment, an air-guitarist's fantasy, but it sure is fun.
B
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