Rock School Review

"ROCK SCHOOL" reviews

Movie

ROCK SCHOOL

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2005-10-25 21:09:37

Provider

Review

This documentary follows Paul Green, allegedly the inspiration for Jack Black's character in School Of Rock, as he instructs his young charges in the ways of sounding like a 1970s metal band. This film was apparently in production before Black's comedy, but inevitably it suffers in comparison, largely because it focuses too much on Green himself, to the detriment of the students, aged 9-17, some of whom seem to be far more interesting characters.

There's the Amish singer-songwriter, who abandons her religious extra-curricular activities under sustained mockery from Green, the faux-suicidal gawky youth who can't play a note, but delivers a more perceptive assessment of Green's character than the man himself could. Green also appears to be playing up to the cameras, staging tantrums either for the film's dramatic effect (in which case he shouldn't let them catch him smirking while shouting) or to intimidate the kids, who mostly just shrug as if to say 'there he goes again'.

It's not the only unconvincing thing about the movie. Lacking courage in its own narrative, the film follows them to the Zappanale festival in Germany (a tribute to the late and far-from-great Frank Zappa), at which, for no apparent reason, they are invited to jam with the man's old bandmates. While reminding us of the timeless horrors of Zappa's muse they receive a rapturous reception, providing the film with a suitable climax, which, its inability to really develop the story of the students would otherwise have prevented.

All of this sounds exceedingly negative and it should be pointed out that Rock School is never less than entertaining viewing. But, as documentaries go, it's cold and unmoving, squandering its opportunities for the sake of quick giggles.