School of Rock
(Paramount Region 1 DVD)
(2003)
review by Head Cheeze

Richard Linklater, Mike White, and Jack Black have achieved some sort of minor miracle with the box-office smash, School of Rock. They've managed to make a riotously funny film that's suitable for audiences ages 7 to 70, without sacrificing a single element that would have made the film any better. As a matter of fact, there's not a single offensive moment in this entire film, save for the occasional drug reference (ie:"She's on crack") and use of the word "ass" as an emphasised syllable in words like ass-ignment. The fact that the MPAA found that these offenses merited a PG-13 rating; the same rating that the violent and decapitation filled Return of the King received, shows just how out-of-whack the ratings system is in this country. School of Rock's pan demographic appeal is a testament to the strength of the White's writing (who also co-stars in the film), Linklater's sensibilities, and Jack Black's restraint.

Black plays Dewey Finn, a legend in his own mind who still clings to the dream of rock and roll stardom despite his progressing age and lack of talent. Dewey is kicked out of his band mere weeks before a massive Battle of the Bands concert, upon which he's rested all of his hopes for his big break. His roommate Ned (White), a former band mate and current substitute teacher, is being pressured by his pushy girlfriend to either motivate Dewey to get a job, or get the hell out, but Dewey is convinced that jobs are for suckers and that Ned is now a puppet of "the man". Still, Dewey realises that he needs to make some money, lest he be evicted, so when a prestigious private school calls looking to hire Ned as a substitute, Dewey decides to pose as his friend and take the job himself. When Dewey finds out that many of his new students are skilled classical musicians, he realises that he may have the makings of a new band that can help him win the Battle of the Bands, and starts a new "class project" in which readin', 'ritin', and 'rithmetic, take a backseat to ROCK!

School of Rock is just a great film all around. It's funny without resorting to the usual "joke-a-minute" approach, and Linklater seems to have reigned in the mercurial Black enough for him to put forth a solid performance rather than just simply perform. I liken Black to Robin Williams in that both actors seem to rely on their own instincts and often resort to manic improvisation unless guided by a steady hand, which Linklater provides in this instance. I was also blown away by the young actors (many of which had never acted before) who make up Dewey's class/band. It is the rare film that features children so prominently without pushing the "cuteness" envelope, or going out of it's way to imbue them with adult mannerisms, traits, or speech. Here they are neither saccharine nor acerbic; they are simply gifted individuals who never realised that they were. The fact that all of the young actors who make up the band actually played their own instruments makes them all the more convincing, and, from the perspective of a musician, makes the film that much more believable. As a matter of fact, the only person in the film who actually mimed their way through the concert scenes was Black, who is a relatively assured acoustic performer (see Tenacious D for evidence of this), but admits he hasn't a clue how to play electric guitar.

Usually this kind of film veers off into confection by it's third act, but Linklater and White manage to skirt the cliches of redemption and manipulative heartstring-tugging, with only a slight nod to the conventional in it's somewhat bittersweet denouement in which Dewey comes to the realisation that, perhaps, it is time to step aside and leave the rocking to the new guard.

The film features a lot of music, both original tunes by the band, and a virtual who's who of rock, including AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, The Ramones, and more. It's one of those flicks that have you tapping your toe almost as much as you're holding your gut with laughter. The original tunes aren't half-bad, either, and I found myself humming the School of Rock "theme" for days after (As a matter of fact, I'm humming it as I write this!).

The DVD from Paramount is a great set, featuring two commentary tracks: one with Black and Linklater, and one with the kids, as well as a host of behind-the-scenes featurettes, an MTV Video Diary of Jack Black, music video, and more. It's packed with hours of extra stuff that is actually a joy to watch, as opposed to the countless tech-dweeb special FX docos that dominate most feature-laden sets.

School of Rock was universally praised by critics and audiences last year, and deserved every bit of it. This is a film I can see myself watching again and again, and it get's my highest recommendation!