School of Rock

Just like Will Ferrell, Jack Black has a gift for stripping away whatever dignity his character has, minute by minute, ounce by ounce. He gets his best opportunity to do just that in the sweet natured but slightly drawn out comedy, 'School of Rock'. Perfectly cast, Black plays Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star who is hoofed out of his band for his excessive behaviour. Desperate to make some rent money to placate the girlfriend of his uptight best mate (writer Mike White), Dewey cons his way into a temp's job at the upmarket prep school, run by the overly zealous Rosalie Mullins (Joan Cusack). It's there that he discovers his group of 11 year old kids have a gift for musicianship, and the fired up Dewey teaches them about rock 'n' roll. His overall aim, naturally enough, is to show his former band mates up at the annual rock out festival.

A film which is twice removed from the vestiges of reality, 'School of Rock' does have fun with its suitably farcical premise, with Black the undisputed ring leader of the kiddie-friendly anarchy. Since this crowd pleaser is so slight, much - perhaps too much - is dependent on Black's performance and the ability of everyone else to play second fiddle to him. Redefining raucous and throwing subtlety to the wind, Black's enthusiasm and bug-eyed sincerity makes him fiercely entertaining to watch. Of course, since the material doesn't stand up to any great scrutiny, the pat finale is somewhat inevitable. But that's the price you pay when you give Black free reign.