Production Information: Thomas, E., Schmidt, R., Yeres, M. & Mass, J. (Producers). Graff, T. (Director). (2009). Bandslam. DVD. USA: Walden Media.
Plot Summary: Will Burton, played by Gaelan Connell, is a music addict and somewhat geeky. Will gets bullied at his school. So his mother, played by Lisa Kudrow, finds a new job so Will could have a fresh start at a new high school. Will meets a girl named Sam at school who tells him about Bandslam, an annual battle of the bands' contest. The winner gets a recording contract. Charlotte, a previous friend of Sam, learns about Will's musical talents and she seeks him out to manage her band. Charlotte wants revenge on her egocentric ex-boyfriend's band. Will does a phenomenal job at turning Charlotte's band into a potential success. He expands the three person band by soliciting talented outcasts, including an accomplished drummer.
Meanwhile, Sam is out of sorts because she feels abandoned by Will, and Will bails out on a school project he was supposed to do with her. One night Will goes to Sam's house to apologize, but she was not home. When Sam's mother shows Will a video of Sam singing, he finds out how talented she is. Sam comes home and is outraged and asks Will to leave. Sam forgives Will after he shows a very sweet documentary about her that he shows to his Human Studies class. When Charlotte's father ends up dying, she quits the band and Sam takes her place. The night of the performance Charlotte's ex-boyfriend's band, the Glory Dogs, steals the song "I Can't Go on, I'll Go On" that Charlotte's band had planned to perform. Will remembers the song that Sam knew from her video "Everything I Own". They end up not winning the competition, but their band becomes popular because of a YouTube video.
Critical Evaluation: For those viewers who enjoy lighthearted romantic teenage comedies and music, Bandslam is entertaining. Gaelan Connell gives an excellent performance playing Will. He is sensitive and likable. Aly Michalka as Charlotte is also an excellent choice for playing a "popular." She is beautiful and talented. Sam (Sa5m- 5 is silent) is a dark figure who talks in a monotone and she used to stutter. Vanessa Hudgens as Sam gives an excellent performance. Lisa Kudrow is always enjoyable and entertaining.
Annotation: Bandslam is a romantic comedy about high school teen misfits who find friendship and belonging through each other's passion for music.
About the Director: Todd Graff was born in 1959 in New York City. His mother was a piano teacher and choirmaster and his father was a musician. Graff graduated from the State University of New York and has been a working actor ever since. Graff sang for Sesame Street and went on to play the role of Jesse on the PBS Children's television series The Electric Company. In addition to acting and singing, Graff has directed Camp (2003) and produced and written numerous works.
Graff received a Tony Award Nomination (1984) for a Featured actor in a Musical for Baby. He was a nominee for directing Camp at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival.
Retrieved April 24, 2010 at: http://www.hollywood.com/celebrity/198892/Todd_Graff
Genre: Film/ Romantic Comedy/ Music/Bands/ Rock and Roll
Curriculum Ties: Music
Talking Points: What happens when a bunch of high school misfits find out they have the love of music in common? Who is going to win the Bandslam competition and get a recording contract: "I Can't Go On, I'll Go On" or Charlotte's egocentric ex-boyfriend's band?
Rating and Interest Age: PG/ 13 and older
Challenge Issues: None
Reason for Inclusion: Bandslam is an entertaining film that "misfits" may relate to and it gives hope that there is someone for everyone.
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