CATRIONA PAUL at the movies.

THERE IS A a god, a god of rock. And his name is Jack Black. So proves this uncomplicated, feel-good comedy in which Black dazzles as 30-something rock musician Dewey Finn, faking it as a substitute teacher and enlisting the help of his pupils to compete in a Battle of the Bands.

This latest offering from director Richard Linklater easily outshines his earlier films, (Slacker, Before Sunrise, Dazed and Confused), due in large part to Black’s mega-watt personality. His credentials as both a scene-stealing actor, (music-obsessed shop assistant in High Fidelity), and also as a bonafide rocker, (he is half of cult rock band Tenacious D), made him perfect for the role. Indeed, the part was written for him by Mike White who first made teenage angst funny in the fab TV show Freaks and Geeks (1999).

The story is surprisingly simple – when dumped by his band and threatened with eviction, Finn impersonates his flatmate Ned Smeedley (played by White) to become supply teacher extraordinaire. Place a rock wannabe in an expensive prep school and you figure he won’t last long. Yet no need to morph into an authority figure when you can inspire the kids with a new curriculum of rock music, stage management and performance etiquette. Finn’s message to the fat kids and the uncool – if rock is on the inside, that’s what counts.

Whilst this has the potential for sentimental cheese, we’re in no danger with Black centre stage, dancing close to the edge of acceptable weird throughout. Forget sub-plots and deep dark messages, surrender to the belly laugh, stick it to the man and let JB entertain you.

SCHOOL OF ROCK (PG)
General release, selected cinemas.

Director: Richard Linklater
Writer: Mike White
Stars: Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, Sarah Silverman, Miranda Cosgrove
Certificate: PG
Running Time: 108 mins
Country: US / Germany
Year: 2003

© Catriona Paul, 2004