October 3, 2003
School of Rock (titled on screen as The School of Rock) is a 2003 American comedy film directed by Richard Linklater, produced by Scott Rudin and written by Mike White. The film stars Jack Black, Joan Cusack, White and Sarah Silverman. Black plays struggling rockguitarist Dewey Finn, who is fired from his band and subsequently poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. After witnessing the musical talent of the students, Dewey forms a band of fifth-graders to attempt to win the upcoming Battle of the Bands and use his winnings to pay his rent.
School of Rock was released on October 3, 2003, by Paramount Pictures, grossing $131 million worldwide on a $35 million budget. The film received positive reviews from critics, with praise for Black's performance and humor. It was the highest-grossing music-themed comedy of all time until the release of Pitch Perfect 2 in 2015. A stage musical adaptation opened on Broadway in December 2015, and a television adaptation aired for three seasons on Nickelodeon from March 2016 to April 2018.
Storyline
Rock band No Vacancy performs at a nightclub three weeks before auditioning for the Battle of the Bands. Guitarist Dewey Finn creates on-stage antics, including a stage dive that abruptly ends the performance. The next morning, Dewey wakes in the apartment he lives in with his best friend (and former rocker) Ned Schneebly and his girlfriend, Patty Di Marco. They inform Dewey he must make up for his share of the rent, which is four months overdue. When Dewey meets No Vacancy at a rehearsal session, he discovers he has been replaced by another guitarist named Spider. Later, while attempting to sell some of his equipment for rent money, Dewey answers a phone call from Rosalie Mullins, the principal of the Horace Green prep school, inquiring for Ned about a short-term position as a substitute teacher. Desperate for money, Dewey impersonates Ned and is hired. On his first day at the school, Dewey adopts the name "Mr. S" and spends his first day behaving erratically, confusing the class and declaring that they will have nothing but recess.
The next day, Dewey overhears their music class and plans to form them into a new band to audition for Battle of the Bands. He recruits Zack Mooneyham as lead guitarist, Freddy Jones as drummer, cello player Katie on bass, Lawrence on keyboard, and himself as lead vocalist and guitarist. He assigns the rest of the class to various roles of backup singers, groupies, roadies, with Summer Hathaway as band manager. The project takes over normal lessons, but helps the students to embrace their talents and overcome their problems; he reassures Lawrence, who is worried about not being cool enough for the band; Zack, whose overbearing father disapproves of rock; and Tomika, an overweight girl who is too self-conscious to even audition for backup singer despite an amazing voice. During one eloquent lesson, he teaches the kids that rock and roll is the way to "Stick it to the Man" and stand up for themselves. Band "groupies" Michelle and Eleni, with Summer's approval, pitch the band name "The School of Rock."
Two weeks into his hiring, Dewey sneaks his key band members out of school to audition for a spot in the competition, while the rest of the class stay behind to maintain cover. When Freddy wanders off, Dewey retrieves him but the group is rejected because the bill is full. Summer comes up with an idea where Dewey deceives the staff into thinking that they have a terminal illness, allowing the band to audition. The next day, Mullins checks on his teaching progress, forcing Dewey to teach the actual material. Mullins explains that a parents' night will take place at the school the day before Battle of the Bands, which worries Dewey.
As Dewey prepares for the parents' night, Ned receives a paycheck from the school via mail, soon realizing that Dewey impersonated him. During the parents' meeting, the parents question what Dewey was teaching the kids until Ned, Patty, and the police confront Dewey. After Mullins asks what is going on, Dewey reveals his true identity, saying that he is not a certified teacher and flees to his apartment. Back at home, Ned suggests for Dewey to finally move out.
The next morning, the parents go on an uproar in front of Mullins at her office, while the kids decide not to let their hard work go to waste. When the new substitute discovers that the kids are missing, she informs Mullins who takes the parents to the competition. A school bus comes to pick up Dewey, who leads the kids to the Battle of the Bands and decides that they play the song written by Zack earlier. All the while, Ned breaks up with Patty after he finally stands up for himself and Dewey by walking out of the apartment to see Dewey perform. Initially dismissed as a gimmick, the band wins over the entire crowd, including all the parents. No Vacancy wins to Dewey's dismay, but the audience chants encore for the School of Rock, performing for the crowd once again.
Some time later, an after school program known as the School of Rock has opened as Dewey continues to coach the students he played with before while Ned teaches beginners. Dewey and the kids rock out while the end credits scroll through.
Also See
Movie Trailer
- School of Rock (2003) (Trailers)
Sound Effects Used
- Hollywoodedge, Bird Hawk Single Scre PE020801/Hawk Screech Single AT082901
- Sound Ideas, BIRD, BLUE JAY - SINGLE CALLS, ANIMAL 01
- Sound Ideas, DOOR, WOOD - CLOSE 02
- Sound Ideas, DOOR, WOOD - OPEN 02
- Sound Ideas, SCREAM - FEMALE, SHORT, HUMAN, HORROR 05 (Heard faintly.)