Good comedy with an original premise and a lot of heart.

Rating: 8/10 (28 September 2005)

Dewey Finn (Jack Black) is a good guitar player for an amateur rock band hoping to make it big in Battle of the Bands. But Dewey is clumsy on stage and an show-off. While Dewey got fired from his own band, nothing could get worse... When his best friend (Mike White) is forced to ask Dewey for rent money, thanks to his best friend's cruel girlfriend (Sarah Silverman). Dewey is desperately needs money to pay his rent.
When Dewey receives an call from the school, which his friend is an substitute teacher. Dewey decides to impersonate his friend to be substitute teacher for sereval weeks in a High I.Q. School for young kids. Dewey meets his students, he doesn't care to realize until later that his students are talented musicians and then Dewey decides to teach the kids Rock Music and Dewey's wildest dreams come true, since these kids are so good and that he decides to use the kids as his new rock group for upcoming Battle of the Bands. But he has to convince an seemingly uptight Principal (Joan Cusack) to give the kids a field trip for Battle of the Bands, since he told the principal, it is a concert for classical music.
Directed by Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused, The Newton Boys, Waking Life) made an enjoyable, original comedy with an terrific performance by Black. This has an great soundtrack and this film was also one of the most critically acclaimed films of 2003. This film was also an Box Office Hit. Even the kids in the film are great. This film is extremely well written script by White (The Good Girl, Orange County). One of the most memorable and especially American films of 2003. Nicky Katt appears in a bit part. Frank Whaley appears unbilled. (****/*****).