The School of Rock (2003)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Richard Linklater

Writer (WGA):

Mike White (written by)

Release Date:

3 October 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Music

Tagline:

Take Notes.

Plot:

A wannabe rock star in need of cash poses as a substitute teacher at a prep school, and tries to turn his class into a rock band.

Plot Keywords:

Guitar | Substitute Teacher | Private School | Battle Of The Bands | Guitar Player

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 7 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Jack Black	...	Dewey Finn
Adam Pascal	...	Theo
Lucas Papaelias	...	Neil
Chris Stack	...	Doug
Sarah Silverman	...	Patty Di Marco
Mike White	...	Ned Schneebly
Lucas Babin	...	Spider
Joan Cusack	...	Rosalie Mullins
Jordan-Claire Green	...	Michelle
Veronica Afflerbach	...	Eleni
Miranda Cosgrove	...	Summer Hathaway
Joey Gaydos Jr.	...	Zack Mooneyham
Robert Tsai	...	Lawrence
Angelo Massagli	...	Frankie
Kevin Alexander Clark	...	Fred (as Kevin Clark)

Also Known As:

School of Rock (Germany) (UK) (DVD box title) (USA) (promotional title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some rude humor and drug references.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Spain:T | Malaysia:U | Iceland:L | Finland:K-3 | South Korea:All | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Brazil:Livre | Canada:G (Québec) | Canada:PG | Germany:6 (bw) | Hong Kong:I | Netherlands:AL | Norway:A | Peru:PT | Philippines:PG-13 | Portugal:M/6 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:Btl | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:10 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:PG | USA:PG-13 (certificate #40075)

Filming Locations:

Buckley Country Day School - I.U. Willets Road, Herricks, Long Island, New York, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

All parents' cars are Volvos.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Dewey is climbing the stairs to go watch the kids in music class after hearing music from the bathroom, his shirt is half untucked. When he arrives at the door, it is tucked in completely.

Quotes:

Dewey Finn: Does any one have any food?
[no one raises their hands]
Dewey Finn: No, you're not gonna get in trouble. I'm hungry.

Movie Connections:

References "Computerman" (2003)

Soundtrack:

Smoke On The Water

Great, hilarious performance by Jack Black

Dewey Finn is a lazy freeloader and a guitarist in a rock band who plays gigs every night and sleeps every day, in his friend Ned Schneebly's apartment. One day as he shows up late for band practice he notices a new guitar player who is replacing him. Poor Dewey feels so bad about it and also about Ned and his girlfriend threatening to kick him out since he doesn't pay any of the bills. After a few days of trying to sell his guitars, which doesn't go very well, the head of a school calls and asks for Ned Schneebly, who is a talented substitute teacher with a good reputation. In a desperate attempt to getting money fast, Dewey impersonates Ned and conveniently finds himself the teacher of a third grade ( or something like that ) class for several weeks ahead. Yet another one of his crazy ideas strikes him and his plan to turn his class into a rockband to win the Battle of the Bands competition is set in motion.

School Of Rock is a great feel-good comedy, fun for just about anyone of any age, kids or adults. Jack Black does carry a lot of this film on his own but I won't be too harsh on the kids in the movie, they did very well also. If anyone else should play Dewey Finn rather than Jack, it just wouldn't be the same. Since Jack is actually in a rock band in real life, and has played a few characters in films before who are also into music, he just seemed to fit right into this film. His real passion for rock music helps a lot in this film, and makes Dewey Finn one hell of a good character. The plot to this film is really good I think and Mike White did a great job on the screenplay. As did Linklater on the direction of the film.

This comedy should not be ignored just because there are kids in it, I enjoyed it a hell of a lot and you probably will too.

9/10