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Back Shelf Beauties
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School of Rock Jack Black is this big, hot comedy star in Hollywood, but I just don't get it. He's one of these guys that movie critics and studio execs praise to look hip and with it, but Black hasn't done much to deserve it. He desperately wants to be a wise guy like Bill Murray, but his talent doesn't equal 5% of Murray's, and he lacks the needed charm to make that type of character work. Black is one of these comedic actors who think that acting rude, crude and stupid is funny. Sadly, the act is on full display in the otherwise entertaining School of Rock. Black stars as Dewey Finn - a loser, twenty-something wannabe rock and roll star. As the town's big Battle of the Bands is approaching, his band decides that they have had enough of his constant mugging and spastic on stage antics, so they vote him out (if only I could have likewise kicked him out of the movie). With no band, the rent due and a desire to win the $20,000 competition, Dewey is forced to falsely take a job as a substitute teacher at a local private school by posing as his friend, Ned (Mike White). Once at the school, Dewey unhatches a diabolic plan. He finds out that the kids in his class are talented musicians, and trains them to be his new band. Will Dewey get busted for all of his lies? Will the band win the Battle of the Bands? School of Rock is a formulaic film with some good highlights, and some bad. Written by Mike White, the best dialogue and funniest lines are given to the kids in this movie. Many of the movie's plot lines will feel very familiar (the fat girl and nerdy kid who are shy, but find themselves in music; the rebellious kid who defies his parents to rock and roll). However, White is able to set up an interesting situation, and a good ending, while Black almost single-handedly destroys the movie. We learn that Dewey was kicked out of the bad for constantly trying to hog the spotlight, and Black can be accused of the same thing here. I realize that he's the star of the film, but there are moments when I wish he would tone it down and let the script work for him, and let his co-stars help carry the load. For example, co-star Joan Cusack, a great comedic actress, has her best scenes without him, even though her character and his share several scenes together that are crucial to the plot, if this part of the plot were better developed. White even writes in some nice "moments of growth" for Black's character, but you have to wonder if this doofus has really learned anything new, especially when you see the ending of the film. Black might work in supporting roles where his wackiness is a better fit (and in smaller doses), but he needs to learn how to take it down a level and show us multiple sides of the character if he wants to be a leading man. He needs more of the skill he showed in Shallow Hal, and less of the silliness that dominates this film. I also want to send out a word of warning to parents who might be tempted to take their kids to this film. I saw the movie with plenty of kids under 13, and they probably shouldn't have seen it due to the language and message of the film (many of you parents will question the moral of the story). While School of Rock is full of young co-stars, the movie is not targeted to families and kids. School of Rock is a film that I wouldn't mind seeing on DVD or cable, and I did laugh at many of the jokes, but it's not a great film, nor a tender film. The best laughs are overshadowed by Black's desperate plea for attention. Grade: C- Copyright 2003 - WaffleMovies.com
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