Great Film comedy

Rating: 10/10 (7 March 2008)

Dewy Finn played by Jack Black is a dynamic formularised lead guitarist who gets sacked from his band not so much for his exuberant performances but his inability to fit into the Rock Star image of being Anorexic thin slim and tall instead he is short and obese. He shares a flat with his long time close friend Ned Schneebly played by Mike White who actually wrote the screenplay. Submissive Ned now has a dominating girlfriend who has steered him into a steady career as a School teacher instead of his old pursuits as a musician with Dewey who is still determined to succeed but is behind with the rent and bills. Ned's girlfriend gives Dewey an ultimatum to pay his debts or get out in fact she wants to end the friendship with her partner. Dewey answers a telephone call for Ned which is an invitation by a top private school to be a substitute teacher. Dewey pretends he is Ned and takes the appointment on for the money. He finds himself in charge of some children with a private school educational path and all are very good students. He struggles to find a way into "winging" his new role until he discovers that many in the class are very competent musicians in their classical music class. He sets up a new and secretive lass on formularised Rock and Roll band with management , stage crew and entourage skills as well. The class responds with excellence to the level that he persuades the school principal a highly strung woman played by Joan Cusack that the class should attend a music concert whilst instead he has entered them in a "Battle of Bands" competition.
Ned's girlfriend discovers Dewey's plan and informs the police . The parents are shocked and Joan Cusack is on the verge of a breakdown. The students then rebel and drag Dewey out to the band competition as they are determined to perform. The parents, the principal and Ned rush to the venue to retrieve their children.
A beautifully scripted film which encapsulates inspiration and determination A real gem!!!.