School of Rock

School of Rock, also called The School of Rock, is a 2003 American comedy film directed by Richard Linklater, written by Mike White, and starring Jack Black. The main plot follows struggling rock singer and guitarist, Dewey Finn (Black), who is kicked out of his band and subsequently disguises himself as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. After witnessing the musical talent in his students, Dewey forms a band of fourth-graders to attempt to win the upcoming Battle of the Bands and pay off his rent. The picture's supporting cast includes White, Joan Cusack, Sarah Silverman and Miranda Cosgrove. School of Rock went on to gross over $131 million worldwide and became the highest grossing musical comedy of all time, until it was overtaken in 2015 by Pitch Perfect 2. A stage musical adaptation opened on Broadway in December 2015, and a television adaptation for Nickelodeon is also due to premiere in 2016.

Plot

The films opens with a rock band known as No Vacancy performing at a nightclub. Dewey Finn creates on-stage antics, including a stage dive that prematurely ends the performance. The next morning, Dewey wakes in the apartment he lives in with Ned Schneebly and Patty Di Marco. Ned and Patty pressure Dewey to make up for the share of the rent, which is four months overdue. When Dewey meets No Vacancy at a rehearsing facility, he finds out that he has been fired and replaced by another musician named Spider. Later, Dewey answers a phone call from Principal 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, much to the class' confusion.