A brilliant and inspiring film.

Rating: 9/10 (30 September 2003)

One of the many joys about going to the movies is getting more out of a film than anticipated. After hearing rave reviews from both The New York Times and an "A" average from Entertainment Weekly, I figured "The School of Rock" would be a pretty enjoyable film. When I left this movie, my legs were shaking from the sheer joy and inspiration that this movie elicits. If anyone is wondering what kind of film this is, the best allegory would be to imagine what it was like the first time you saw "Big" with Tom Hanks.
The School of Rock is about a lazy dreamer, Dewey Finn, played by Jack Black, who knows what is great about rock music, but can't quite be as great as the artists that inspire him. Since his vision is only narrowed to rock music, he hasn't ventured anywhere else in the world, leaving him in debt to his roommate for rent money.
Finn assumes his roommate's identity as a substitute teacher at a prestigious elementary school in order to pay the rent. When he meets the students, there is an immediate culture class, in that Finn has the inspiration, but lacks the class whereas the students have the class, but lack the inspiration.
When Finn hears the students playing in their music class, he gets the idea to start a rock band with the class as his band members. From here, the movie takes a rather unique turn in that the script allows Finn to play off of the students' unique personalities and qualities instead of having them play off of Finn's eccentric personality.
Finn allows the students to be themselves while defying both their parents and faculty, reviving the non-conformist spirit of the 70s metal bands that Finn has immersed himself in. Finn branches out his love of the music to the class and relates it to them. The students, in turn, flourish and become more confident with their gifts.
Jack Black is perfectly cast as Dewey Finn. Black is the perfect embodiment for Dewey's eccentric and passionate behavior. But what Black also brings to this role is his musical gifts for both playing guitars and, in one hilarious scene, writing on the spot music about Math that would have the cast of Whose Line is it Anyway turn green with envy. Finn becomes the teacher that we all have either been blessed enough to have or have wished to have. This one role establishes Jack Black as the most prolific and dynamic new actor working in Hollywood today.
Joan Cusack also has a funny role as the uptight elementary school principal with a predilection for Stevie Nicks. Cusack herself is wonderful in most everything she does (look at her roles in Say Anything, Working Girl, and her brilliant comic turn in In and Out.) Her mannerisms and accentuation are so perfectly executed, she proves herself as the funniest lady in Hollywood.
As for the students themselves, they display enough individual promise to have a new career going for themselves. Miranda Cosgrove shines as the eager overachiever, Summer, Joey Gaydos is wonderful as the fledgling rock God, Zack, Maryam Hassan has a wonderful part as the timid singer with the great voice, Robert Tsai as the student who worries he isn't cool enough to be in a band, and Kevin Alexander Clark as the one student with enough attitude to match Dewey Finn's. These are only a few of the wonderful child performances that are on display in this film. Hollywood, treat these kids well.
All this wonderful acting talent works so well with a brilliant script by Mike White (Chuck & Buck). This script is witty, clever, inspiring, and sentimental enough that it isn't sappy, but not so light that it passes through you without leaving an impression. And Richard Linklater must be credited with bringing this movie to the screen with enough vivacity and passion that one could leave The School of Rock wanting to start their own rock band without even being interested in going into music.