School of Rock (2003)

Genre: Comedy

Theme: Rock Music

Undercurrent: Self-belief, Team work

Language: English

School of Rock is an adventure film about a wannabe rock star Dewey (by Jack Black). He is an extremely positive person with lots of confidence upon himself and his music but fails too often to be taken seriously. He lives upon the generosity of his friend/former band mate Ned (by Mike White) and his girlfriend. Dewey steals a substitute teaching job from his friend and uses the talented students to form a band to win a local contest called 'Battle of Bands'. Here is Dewey, the opportunist who takes everything possible to enforce his will on his life.

This must be the role that Jack Black is born for. He lives it, literally. The fun never stops. The energy is vibrant and everywhere. There isn't a moment in the movie where the music or the vibe stopped. There is music, there is comedy that clicks, the jokes are funny, the sentiments are just enough, casting is good and the acting is awesome. The conversations are so well written that one doesn't feel the cliche moments taking off at any time. Screenplay by Mike White is simple yet very effective. All the kids are given roles that fit their age, thus keeping the 'cheering to innocence' part of the movie alive. This must have been a cult hit.

The classes called 'Rock Appreciation' and 'Rock History' show the profound respect that the makers have for music. To have such a scene for so long might be a director's vision but a producer's risk. All must be credited for the boldness and sincerity in what they believed is the subject of the movie. The risk is worth it and it helps connect the audience to the passion of the protagonist. We should have more such respect for the subjects in every movie, that helps understand the background better. 

Although the pre-climax is filled with cliche challenges, the music given by the band covers it up towards the end. The movie rocks full of smart humour that is enlivened by the performance of Jack Black. Being a rock artist himself, Jack Black must have felt the character to the heart as he eases through the general expressions and body language to great comedy timing and some personal touches in each scene that make a lot of difference each time. The Oscars may have overseen his work, as they do with most comedians, but that is their loss. This is comedy at its best.