The Kids Are Alright

Rating: 7/10 (9 September 2012)

Thrown out of the heavy-metal group he formed, chubby guitarist Jack Black (as Dewey Finn) finds his dreams of rock stardom further shattered when former band-mate Mike White (as Ned Schneebly) and shrewish live-in Sarah Silverman (as Patty DiMarco) threaten to throw him out for lacking rent money. Unsuccessful in rock, Mr. Black gets a job as a long-term sub for a classroom of ten-year-olds. With no teaching experience, Black teaches the kids the history of classic rock. For a class project, they form a group called "School of Rock" and take a field trip to the "battle of the bands" contest Black wanted to enter...
Aimed at a pre-teen audience and led by a star you might not trust to be kid-friendly, "The School of Rock" is a nice surprise. The language and sexual situations are post-TV's "Bart Simpson", which is tame for movies. For parents keeping track, the expletives range from "hell" to "ass" with only a hint of stronger stuff. Script by Mr. White is fun, with his and the other adults guided very well by director Richard Linklater. The students are surely professional musicians, but they all ring true as inexperienced actors; the combination works beautifully. There is little evidence of mugging, method or sickening sweetness...
The main focus is on Black's young front-men; possibly punk Kevin Clark (as Freddy Jones) takes the drums like AC/DC, lead guitarist Joey Gaydos (as Zack Mooneyham) picks up Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" easily, and shy keyboardist Robert Tsai (as Lawrence) grasps The Doors' "Touch Me" quickly. Female bass player Rebecca Brown (as Katie) has less to do. Most obvious stereotype is overweight Maryam Hassan (as Tomika), who naturally belts out Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools" on cue. Least obvious may be presumably gay "stylist" Brian Falduto (as Billy). As in class plays, many students must play trees...
Though not taking center stage, tightly-wound principal Joan Cusack (as Rosalie "Ros" Mullins) and budding band manager Miranda Cosgrove (as Summer Hathaway) contribute great support. White offers keen "between the lines" observations about the importance of a toned chest in the post-MTV generation; nothing revelatory, but it's presented in a very appealing package. The ending would have been better if Black had declined taking the microphone, and allowed one of the kids to take the lead. He should also consider substitute teaching when the acting gigs dry up. Children of all ages should appreciate the soundtrack.
******* The School of Rock (9/9/03) Richard Linklater ~ Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, Miranda Cosgrove