John Travolta has made some pretty bad script choices in recent years and "Shout" continues the trend. (Though some might argue that his only recent hit, "Look Who's Talking," is an exception.)
A romanticized view of '50s delinquency, a silly romance and a ridiculous look at the way rock 'n' roll began its influence on American music, "Shout" lumbers along alternating wildly implausible plot twists with hackneyed cliches.
The story, set in the mid-1950s, focuses on young Jesse Tucker (James Walters), a James Dean wannabe who climbs the bell tower to wake up a sleepy Texas town, which promptly lands him in the local Benedict Home for Boys. It is implied, but never stated, that Jesse has committed other, equally outrageous infractions. Maybe he was busted for pulling faces.
The tough disciplinarian who runs the school, Eugene Benedict (Richard Jordan), is a no-nonsense, humorless sort, who doesn't believe in sparing the rod. And when his beautiful teenage daughter Sara (Heather Graham) arrives on the scene, only those who have never seen a movie will wonder what happens next.
Eventually, music teacher Jack Cabe (Travolta) arrives as well, and, just like the "Music Man," he's there to organize a boy's band. It's immediately apparent he has a past he's running from. And, doggone it, try as he might, Jack just can't resist playing that dirty ol' rock 'n' roll in his room, introducing the locals to evil music that sends youngsters into a frenzy and their parents into conniption fits.
Jack also begins a romance with Molly, a rebel who lives in town (Linda Fiorentino) — but we don't see too much of her (most of Fiorentino's scenes were apparently left on the cutting room floor).
Anyway, Jack tries to teach the boys in the band traditional marching tunes, but they want to hear that wild music he knows. So, when Benedict isn't looking, Jack gives them a taste.
Meanwhile, what begins as a mean-spirited flirtation with the warden's daughter turns into true infatuation, and Jesse and Sara are soon sneaking behind her father's back as well.
In this fantasy world, parents — especially those in charge of boys' homes — are idiots, rebels know the truth, tough kids are all soft on the inside and no one gets hurt.
Except the moviegoer.
This is "Footloose" crossed with "Rebel Without a Cause," or maybe "Blackboard Jungle" — or maybe "Cool Hand Luke." Except that all these had better music.
"Shout" is rated PG-13 for violence, sex, vulgarity and profanity.