Jack Black, the human ball of unending energy, delivers his most exuberant performance (for better or for worse) as a substitute teacher sticking it to the man… at least in his mind for the most part. After being kicked out of his band and late with rent, down on his luck rocker Dewey Finn (Black) takes an instructor position at an elite prep school by impersonating his pussy whipped roommate. Of course, he doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing and decides to turn the class of musically talented, prepubescent youngsters into a group of instrumentalists to be reckoned with to win a battle of the bands competition. Subsequently, hilarity ensues. And I don’t mean that in a patronizing way. Indie director Richard Linklater (SLACKER, DAZED AND CONFUSED, BOYHOOD) crafted a confident Hollywood comedy with this one in 2003 that’s both endearing without being corny. Does it still hold up some 12 years later? Did GG Allin throw a memorable show?
SCHOOL OF ROCK
2003
dir. Richard Linklater
108 min