Shout

"Shout" is another nostalgic tale of when the rock n'roll seemed to corrupt hearts and minds of the 1950's youth with rebel singers, noisy sound and plenty of energy, commonly misunderstood by people of other generations.

In it, John Travolta plays an music teacher new in this small town whose goal is to teach some kids from a juvenile detention to play music for a 4th of July event. Among them there's the most rebel of hearts Jesse (Jamie Walters) constantly causing trouble to everybody and always getting reprehension from director Euegene Benedict (Richard Jordan). What could possibly calm down his behavior? The introduction of the rock n'roll and Benedict's daughter Sara (Heather Graham).

Good spirited, hugely well-intentioned like few films can be in this day and age, "Shout" nicely presents the youth's inconformity under the rigid authority of people who preach decadent values and also the joy in discovering new things, like different music and the first love. Yes you'd probably seen this time in "American Graffitti", "Dead Poets Society" which are excellent and far superior than this small film, but the movie goes so nice, so easy and so filled of good things that one can easily let yourself go with no excessive critics about it. The lack of profundity in the main character annoys a little, I mean, what about Jesse's past? We've only seen him right on the first scene disturbing people's peace and that's it, he's taken (again, probably) to the farm house and more punishment and detention.

Romance is fine, the couple is very good looking and they act well the comedy bits are OK, Travolta is quite good in one of his best films during the awful break of strange projects before being resurrected by Tarantino. However, Richard Jordan is what makes the film worth watching, throwing away all the excesses characters like the one plays here tend to make. He makes of this unsympathetic character someone likable, you really understand why he believes in pushing those boys to hard work, and it's a man who really loves his daughter. He's tyrannic, imposes his authority but he's good in essence. Jordan, who mainly played villains in his career, steps down from this path and makes of Benedict a good character that has his tough moments. Clearly, the best in show.

This is not as bad as people say, it's quite underrated and a fun to watch. 7/10

This is not an awful film but it is really really bad on many levels. It is supposed to be a period piece and yet cares nothing at all about the period or authenticity. An odd mix of Footloose and Dead Poet's Society without any of the pathos that either of those films offer. It is hard to believe that Hollywood made this as a major motion picture. Any producer who was near this should be ashamed for life. This is not an unappreciated gem this is a pile of excrement. IF you want to see a film of no substance with John Travolta and some cute boys and cute girls being silly, go for it. If you are looking for a cute 80's style movie with great music this is not it. There is a reason this film was a flop when it debuted. I cannot stress enough how bad this film is. It is an insult to the era, and to the audience.

I purchased this video at Wal-Mart in a two for ten bucks basket. For anyone who may have grown up in the 50's and loved the old time rock and roll this movie is absolutely great!

James Walters plays a rebellious teenager who ends up in a home for boys. John Travolta is a music teacher who comes looking for a job which the boys' home needs. His job is to teach them music but he has been introduced to a black rhythm and blues radio station out of Memphis, which is playing some new music which seems to upset the establishment. That music is the birth of rock and roll.

Travolta introduces the boys to this new music by first playing some 45RPM records and then telling them to get a radio and listen to the Midnight Rider. From then on the boys are hooked.

Heather Graham is the daughter of the man who runs this boys' school and is the romantic interest of Jamie Walters. She looks wonderful. Walters is a junior James Dean with a rock and roll soul.

Ultimately the music is bound to clash with the locals and that is what really brings this movie to an outstanding conclusion. Two songs really kept me going back and watching parts of the movie over and over. "Alimony" by a black couple by the names of Womack & Womack is a fantastic piece of music and the final song by Walters called, "Rockin' the Pad" is produced by Dave Edmunds. The guitar playing could very well be that of Edmunds.

Having started high school in 1955 and graduating in 1959 this movie is a real piece of nostalgia.

Shout is a decent watch starring John Travolta as a music teacher tutoring young rebellious students. The cinematography is decent and the acting is alright. Heather Graham much before being successful plays one of the leads. You can watch it if you are interested in early 90s musicals or are a fan of john Travolta and have vowed to watch every film of his.

When my friend and I stumbled across this video and watched it we were shocked we'd never heard of it before. I later read it was a complete FLOP when it was released (despite some big name actors).

Not only is this film interesting to me as a "spot them before they were stars" exercise (Gwyneth Paltrow, Heather Graham) but a "catch them during their brief period of fame" (Jamie Walters, Becky's boyfriend from Darlene, Jeremy Jackson). I still really don't understand why it was so unsuccessful as it contains all the same clichéd ingredients as most successful 80s teen flicks.

It's got the classic set up of good looking, broody male "outsiders" rebelling against the establishment via rock'n'roll and romance. It's set in the late fifties and has plenty of fun, sexy and dramatic montages set to dark rock'n'roll songs.

It's not a great film but it's certainly just as bad as Footloose and Dirty Dancing. If you enjoyed either of those I recommend you check this out (particularly if you're female and aged between 12-16). It's tap your foot to the songs, totally enjoyable fluff.