School of Rock

It’s certainly an odd choice for a film festival, there’s no denying that. But Richard Linklater’s School of Rock is a thoroughly enjoyable comedy that finally gives Jack Black a role he can really sink his teeth into. For those that dislike the actor, the movie will probably be about as entertaining as a root canal. But for his fans, School of Rock essentially allows Black to unleash all his ticks and mannerisms in a forum that encourages it. Dewey Finn (Black) has been rockin’ since the ’70s, sticking with his dream to hit it big as the guitarist for a rock ‘n roll band. But when he’s kicked out of said band, Dewey quickly discovers that he’s become something of a joke in the music world. Desperate for cash, he assumes the identity of his substitute teacher roommate and begins working at a prestigious private school. As you’ve probably already guessed from the film’s promotional materials, Dewey tricks the kids into forming their own band and starts teaching them how to rock. There’s nothing ground-breaking or innovative about School of Rock – the idea of gathering a ragtag group of kids and turning them into a cohesive team is nothing new – but the execution and particularly Black’s performance ensure that the movie remains entertaining throughout. And though Mike White’s script goes exactly the route you’d expect regarding the discovery of Dewey’s true identity, that portion of the story is kept mercifully short. The film works best in sequences involving Dewey and the kids, and thankfully, those make up the bulk of the running time. It’s not exactly high art, but it’s probably one of the best comedies to emerge out of Hollywood in a while (which isn’t saying much, really).

*** out of ****