Full Disclosure: I am pretty sure Robin Williams standing on a desk and reading Keats in Dead Poets Society (1989) is why I am a teacher today.
I always marvel at my friend Shannon - whenever I mention School of Rock, she says: "I don't like that movie, it is way too Bad News Bears!" I guess on a micro-level I agree with her, kids and teacher (coach) help each other get to the "next" level of their life. However, how can you not love Jack Black?
The readings for the course certainly added a twist to my viewing of the film (for at least the 4th time). As a teacher, it is always somewhat of a cringeworthy event to view any film about teachers. I posted in an earlier blog - an advertisement from Jimmy John's depicting a teacher with an "ordinary" out of control classroom - her only relief comes in the form of unwarranted rewards for the children.
School of Rock poses a very (I think) interesting twist on the "kids so bad only this teacher can save them" stereotypical "school" movie. Here we have orderly, brilliant, well-mannered college preparatory school kids and a sloppy, disheveled, rock n' roll fanatic "substitute" teacher - one clearly not licensed to be with the children. The stereotype of the "nerdy" teacher lives on through the "real" teacher, Mike White's character, Ned Schneebly. Even his name is ridiculously nerdy, thus perpetuating that teachers are normally averse to anything cool. (Mike White - Schneebly - coincidentally wrote the film, so read in to that what you will).
One other twist I found interesting was Schneebly's domineering girlfriend Patty Di Marco (a very tame Sarah Silverman). Schneebly does not have any control in his relationship, so why would he in the classroom? Anyway, that is another issue.
Stereotypes persist through Rosalie Mullins (Joan Cusack) who is the usual uptight and strict principal - she only needs a "free spirit" like Dewey Finn (Jack Black) to allow her freak flag to fly free.
I think the premise is an interesting one and it is done well (if a little "cozy") in the hands of Richard Linklater ("Dazed and Confused," and ironically, the 2005 remake of "Bad News Bears"). Instead of the usual dorky teacher (Schneebly) coming in and having the kids guffaw at how out of touch he/she is and how he/she (their teacher) doesn't know this band, or that movie - Jack Black comes in and is just blown away that the students do not know the rock "greats" like AC/DC or Black Sabbath. It is sheer joy to watch Black diagram the many layers of rock and roll for the kids and I am sure that many a teacher watched the film and fantasized about doing this in their own classroom (I for one have LOVED moments this year where I divulge music information to my students).In a small way, School of Rock is the perfect fantasy. In Graduate School we focus so much on classroom management, unruly students, overly populated classrooms that threaten the very value of a classroom with their unmanageable ways, cellphone/iPod use and inability to listen. School of Rock asks the question: what if your students were perfect, obedient drones? What if your students had never experienced the blissful explosion of Rock and Roll? What if your students never utilized their talents to their full potential (okay, so that one is pretty permeating country-wide)?
As an avid and lifelong lover of pop music (all music, really - except pop country - that just isn't music) I have to say that Jack Black's use of pop music denies many of the "types" listed in the consideration (in our assignment). Jack Black never settles to be "guide-on-the-side" as he passes out instruments and gets a decent version of Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" up and running. He can't be "caretaker" when these kids manage their lives better then he ever could. He is the anti-"jailer" as he breaks them free, steals the bus and gets them into their first big-time gig. I wouldn't call him "keeper of wisdom" as he is super antsy to fill their minds will all the rock knowledge he can muster. In a way, he might be called "savior" for freeing the students from the "shackles" of their preparatory school - a place where they *gasp* never
heard Led Zeppelin!I think ultimately - Dewey (Black) succeeds in educating and socializing the children and he proves that listening to, learning about and even rocking out to rock music IN school does not mean your class will be out of control - it means that the students (All of them) will be more engaged and moreover thrilled to be in your class.
Sadly, however, that is Hollywood and this is Minnesota.
Joe, you make an interesting observation here, about the "real" Mr. Schneebly takes on the role of the stereotypical "nerdy" teacher. I did realize in the movie, how his wife was very dominant and controls him around. He definitely was not the one wearing the pants in the relationship... however, I never thought about placing that personality in the classroom. I feel like the kids would walk all over him... especially if he is a substitute!
ReplyDeleteI think the most profound part of the movie is that Jack Black's character is able to get his students less focused on grades an more focused on learning. This is shown in the part where Summer admits she did something not for the gold stars, but because it was the right thing to do. This teacher image that Jack Black portrays is very counter to other teacher images in film. And I agree with what you are saying Joe. He is really taking these "dream" kids (in terms of classroom management) and showing them the joy of learning, even if it be through music. In doing so they become thoroughly engaged and immersed in their individual roles. So I guess the movie shows that even though a class may seem well behaved, it doesn't always mean they are engaged in their learning.
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