Watch Shout

In the 1991 film Shout, which was directed by Jeffrey Hornaday, tight leather pants wearing music impresario Jack Cabe takes a group of juvenile delinquents to a former reform school and engage in some impromptu rock 'n roll lessons set to the music of the 1950s. The story takes place in 1955 in a small Southern town where Jesse Tucker, played by John Travolta, is released from prison after serving time for a past crime. Tucker starts working at a church where he meets a group of rebellious teens who have been sent to him for musical training while they are at church. These teens are comprised of a girl named Sara, her boyfriend Adam, and Phillip.

When Tucker meets them, he sees something in them that he can nurture, and he takes them under his wing. He starts training them in Rock n Roll music, and the music sets the boys free from their pasts. However, their new found love for music leaves them struggling to find a way to express themselves properly.

As Jack Cabe starts to hear about the new band, he knows that he could help them turn their fortunes around. Jack approaches Jesse and tries to convince him to let him take the band under his wing so that they can use Jesse's music in Jack's shows to make money. The teenagers see this as their chance to get out of the town and become stars.

Throughout the movie, the teens develop their music as they go from church choirboys to crazy rock 'n rollers, performing soon-to-be-classics such as "Twist and Shout,” “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” However, their newfound fame comes with its own set of problems, and the band members soon find themselves entangled in love, jealousy, and power struggles.

Sara, played by Heather Graham, is at the heart of this, as both Adam and Phillip become lured by her. Adam sees her as his one and only, but Phillip sees a different side of her that Adam is blind to. This situation escalates, culminating in a violent confrontation between Adam and Phillip.

Travolta is mesmerizing as Jesse's mentor figure role, too cool for school yet genuinely concerned about his troubled students. Walters and Graham are equally captivating as the young lovers caught up in the dizzying dance of young love.

The film draws from a variety of influences, including Rebel Without a Cause, Blackboard Jungle, and The Outsiders. The story is a familiar one: a group of young people are searching for a way out of their own personal pain and turmoil, and they find it in music. While there is the usual relationship drama that is typical of coming-of-age stories, the film avoids being a sappy, sentimental mess thanks to a strong script and some solid performances.

The soundtrack for the movie is composed of some of the most iconic songs from the era, including songs by Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and The Beatles. Jeffrey Hornaday's direction captures the spirit of the times, with the use of bright colors, neon lights, and edgy movements.

In conclusion, Shout is a movie that is filled with teenage angst, budding romance, and some of the most iconic rock 'n roll music of all time. Travolta's performance is outstanding, and he delivers a solid performance as a mentor to the young misfits. The film's story is engaging, and the soundtrack alone is worth the price of admission. If you're a fan of coming-of-age stories, and you love the music of the 1950s, then Shout is a must-see film.

Shout is a 1991 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.