School of Rock

School of Rock – Fired from his band, Dewey needs to find a job and fast. By impersonating his flat mate he manages to get a position as a substitute teacher at a upper class prep school. When he learns that his class are musically gifted, he hatches a plan to enter the Battle of the Bands by lying to them about a prestigious national school competition. But as the kids learn to loosen up and Dewey discovers a gift to inspire, will the truth destroy them all?

School of Rock (2003) – Director: Richard Linklater

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11668316

Rating: PG

Running Length: 109 mins

Starring: Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack

Genre: Comedy

REVIEW: ‘SCHOOL OF ROCK’

Who is taking us to school? ROCK school? The trope of the failed musician man-boy clinging to their past is a well worn one but Dewey (Jack Black) and the script of School of Rock breathe new power chords into this character by putting him in charge of children.

When we first meet Dewey he is getting fired from his band for being too old school and mooching off of his college friend by living rent free and in squalor. But, once given a position of power, he quickly finds he has the ability to encourage and support those who need him (even if it is off the back of a lie).

Comedy more than most genres often relies on the schtick of a particular comic actor. Jack Black’s image is usually a love it or hate it high energy exuberance. ‘School of Rock’ is probably the most perfectly balanced Jack Black performance where he lets loose with entertaining vibes but also reigns it in to ground his character. The vibe between him and the assorted children is superb and the classroom scenes are the hugely fun spine from which the other comedy bones can cling. It is a shame that stuffy headmistresses Roz Mullins (Joan Cusack) isn’t given more screen time but she 100% makes the most of what she gets. Anyone for some Stevie Nicks?

With plenty of belly laughs, great character development, a class full of relatable kids, and a devil horns score of songs that pay homage to the awesome power of rock music, ‘School of Rock’ is a wonderful verse chorus verse of comedy and pathos for all the family.

CONTENT: IS ‘SCHOOL OF ROCK’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

One character says about children that he has ‘no problem smacking them in the head’ if they don’t behave. This is a comic threat, however.

Dewey is recovering from drinking the previous night. He asks the children in his class if they know what ‘hungover’ means. One says it means he is an ‘alcoholic’, which he disagrees with.

There is reference to a ‘satanic sex god’ when talking about college band days. A band name is ‘Maggotdeath’.

One kid, given the option, says they want to ‘burn stuff’. In the same scene Dewey refers to a child as ‘Spazzy Magee’. In the UK a ‘spaz’ derives from the medical condition ‘Spastic’ and is a non-PC insult that may offend. 

After he takes away a hidden sandwich from one plus-sized student, Dewey refers to her as ‘Turkey Sub’ later as a nickname. He does this only once, the girl is unaffected, and later in the movie he gives her a positivity talk when she is self-conscious about her size by referencing famous plus sized singers. He also has no problem with his own size and says, ‘I like to eat. Is that a crime?’

Dewey designates some girls to be the ‘groupies’ of the band before explaining that this means they should be super supporters and spread the word. One girl later criticises him saying that she researched the term and that groupies are ‘sluts’ who ‘sleep with the band’.

Dewey dismisses suggestions for the name for the band as ‘too sissy’.

When asked, some students say rock music is about ‘scoring chicks’ or ‘getting wasted’. Dewey disagrees with both of these.

Dewey asks the students to pretend he is ‘the man’ and insult him. One says that he is a ‘fat loser and has body odour’.

One character says that Mrs Lemons ‘must be on crack’. Later, when Mrs Lemons is a little drunk and more animated in her speech she silently mouths. ‘I’m a bitch’.

One kid slips away to ‘hang out’ with adult musicians which could be imitable. Dewey criticises the adults and chastises the child for leaving. 

Dewey poorly explains to the adults at parents evening how he enjoys the work by saying ‘I have been touched by your kids and I’m pretty sure I touched them’.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?

VERDICT: IS ‘SCHOOL OF ROCK’ FOR KIDS?

‘School of Rock’ strikes a great balance as a comedy for kids and adults alike. The jokes aren’t childish nor are they obliquely adult. There is some innuendo that might cause concern, such as references to groupies, but on the whole the tone and pace make it a big tick. We recommend ‘School of Rock’ as suitable for ages 6 and upwards.

• Violence: 0/5
• Emotional Distress: 1/5 (some children have overbearing parents or self image worries)
• Fear Factor: 0/5
• Sexual Content: 1/5 (Some mild innuendo. One child is mildly effeminate and wants to design costumes but there is no reference to sexuality)
• Bad Language: 1/5
• Dialogue: 1/5 (some comedy insults)
• Other Notes: Deals with themes of not changing to be fashionable, standing up to the man, having to repress yourself to cope with your environment, positive body image, the unifying power of music, and coming together to achieve something.

Words by Mike Record