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Questions about two decisions that were made to plot

posted 8 years ago by CoolBrittannia
3 replies | jump to latest

Two things about School of Rock have always piqued my curiosity:

1. Why did the writers have the title song sung at the end as written by Zack, the prodigious guitar student and not Dewey? Wouldn't having that amazing song written by Dewey have provided redemption for his character who was kicked out of his other band and was adrift until he connected with his students? It's nice that he sings it, but why have Zack be the genius behind the song? Do you think it's silly that Dewey's music writing ability is bested by an elementary school student?

2. Why do they lose the Battle of the Bands? Again, shouldn't winning have been Dewey's redemption? And if No Vacancy were so good to be anointed the winners, why did School of Rock get cheered back on stage? My theory is that it was necessary for them to lose, so that Dewey would not be encouraged to take the School of Rock further so that he would not subject himself to the music industry further which, at the end of the day, is a complete crap shoot and provides a very high risk for failure. By losing, Dewey was able to forge a stable and meaningful path towards music education that made him happy and he was able to carve out an unexpected career in something new.

[–] The_Velour_Fog 8 years ago

I'll take a stab...

1. Because Dewey had to learn it wasn't all about him, either. Acknowledging Zach had written a better song was a huge moment for him.

2. The sell-outs won, but The School of Rock rocked. They won over the doubters (concert-goers who thoughts kids would be no good, their parents who thought it was a terrible idea) and proved that you can be a "winner" and be "a success" without getting the best grade/mark/score/most money/competition win.

Nice little movie. The music in it is great. Jack Black can be too much, but here I think he's in his element with the kids.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] paulmarkj 7 years ago

Dewey's redemption was to become a role model for the pupils and to grow up. Winning would have distracted him ftom the real prize of personal growth.