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# About to ‘Rock’? We salute you
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/about-to-rock-we-salute-you-2/
- Published: 2003-10-03T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T03:01:45.000Z
- Author: Dan Dunn
- Tags: Entertainment, Santa Monica, #archive-import

While “School of Rock” is certainly one of the most high-spirited films of the year, it is at the same time a black comedy … a Jack Black comedy, that is. The combustible comic is nothing short of brilliant as Dewey Finn, a down-and-out musician who takes a job as a substitute teacher, dispensing rock ‘n’ roll “lessons” to a group of prematurely ripened grade schoolers. Penned by “Chuck & Buck” scribe Mike White (who co-stars as Dewey’s dweebish roommate Ned Schneebly) and directed by Richard Linklater (“Dazed and Confused,” “SubUrbia”), “School of Rock” is one of those singular films that combines mainstream appeal and indie credibility. And it is, to get right down to it, the funniest movie of the year thus far.

Dewey is a true believer with an unwavering zest for rock ‘n’ roll of the sort produced by Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and Motorhead. He’s a frumpy guitar god wannabe who loves doing 20-minute solos and shirtless stage dives. His passion for music is so all-consuming that it causes Dewey to skirt such responsibilities as making a living and bathing, much to the consternation of his roommate Ned and his overbearing girlfriend, Patty (Sarah Silverman). When he’s unceremoniously dumped by his heavy metal outfit just weeks before an important Battle of The Bands competition, Dewey vows to rock again, harder than ever. But after Ned threatens to kick him out of the apartment unless he can come up with his rent money, Dewey is forced to get a job — and does so by pretending to be Ned and accepting a teaching gig at a prestigious elementary school.

Once he realizes that his all-day-recess policy isn’t going to fly, Dewey begins to share the only real knowledge he has — rock music history — with his fifth-grade class. Linklater and White wisely avoid the “uncontrollable kids” cliché, and instead make Dewey the class clown who “corrupts” his well-behaved charges by assigning Doors music for homework. Things really get going when Dewey decides to mold his students into a pint-sized combo with an eye on the Battle of The Bands title. Not only is he up against it trying to teach the kids to effectively “get the Led out,” he must do so without raising the suspicions of prissy, by-the-book Principal Mullins (the always-enjoyable Joan Cusack). The band — dubbed School of Rock — eventually makes it to the big stage, with predictable results.

“School of Rock” flows effortlessly and there’s nary a dead spot to be found. Much more than a mere showcase for Black’s considerable abilities, it’s a film that succeeds because all of the players in it exude real passion. The filmmakers wisely cast children who can actually play instruments and sing, lending authenticity to the numerous jam sessions. On top of all that, the music — much of it original Black and White compositions — kicks serious behind. (Rated PG-13 for some rude humor and drug references. Running time: 108 minutes)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 3, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/100303.pdf?ref=smdp.com)