Bandslam (2009)

basics...
Will Burton (Gaelan Connell), a somewhat geeky type with a penchant for indie music and writing letters to David Bowie, moves to a new school and ends up best friends with ex-cheerleader Charlotte (Aly Michalka) and manager of her band, who he renames I Can't Go On, I'll Go On, in preparation for a school battle of the bands.

brilliant...
I had certain expectations about Bandslam. The title and front cover of the DVD, as well as the presence of Vanessa Hudgens of High School Musical fame led me to believe that this would be a fluffy music-filled confection to warm my cockles, and that Hudgens would at least turn up in the first 20 minutes. Happily, Bandslam turns out to be much better than expected, and a much different film. Like Todd Graff's Camp before it, Bandslam subverts the sugary teen movie cliches with wit and fresh characters. Connell is an unusual lead, he's an unknown and quite ordinary looking (he's no Zac Efron) but he has charm and a good line in sarcasm, plus has Lisa Kudrow playing his mother. He was bullied at his previous school because his dad was a drunk driver responsible for a hit and run, and later in the movie his friend Charlotte's dad dies. This depth to the characters' backstories and emotional baggage leads to a more reasoned, less fluffy movie than I'd imagined. That's not to say that Bandslam is sad or dour, rather it is grown up and is aware that there are not always happy endings, but the journey is the fun part. Hudgens downplays well as moody Sa5m (the 5 is silent), who tries to be Will's girlfriend in competition with his love of music and the band. As for the musical numbers, there are a few, but this is no musical: the performances are mainly in the last 20 minutes when the Bandslam competition actually takes place. The big showpiece is a cover of Boy George's Everything I Own, a quirky, offbeat choice in a movie full of them. It totally makes sense. About the only predictable thing in Bandslam is the choice of cameo at the movie's end.  
 
but...
Although I did really enjoy Bandslam a great deal it would have been even better with a peppier script, with some more memorable gags. And more Lisa Kudrow. But then every movie needs more Lisa Kudrow.

briefly...
Subverts expectations (and a misleading title/advertising campaign) to become a worthy companion piece to the similarly refreshing Camp. Todd Graff is a director to keep an eye on.