Bandslam

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Bandslam

PG

2009

1h 51m

Musical

Comedy

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

102 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

A gifted singer/songwriter, Charlotte (Aly Michalka) hires Will Burton (Gaelan Connell), a new guy in town, to manage her fledgling rock band. She wants one thing from him: to help her win a contest against her ex-boyfriend in an upcoming battle of the bands. Charlotte's band comes together and seems to have a real shot at victory, while Will and dynamic guitarist Sa5m (Vanessa Hudgens) begin to make some beautiful music of their own.

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Critics Consensus

Bandslam is an intelligent teen film that avoids teen film cliches, in an entertaining package of music and coming-of-age drama.

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Cosmo Landesman

The Times (UK)

Bandslam is a mix of the icky, the corny and the comic, but there's no denying that it's fun.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 17, 2009

Full Review

Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

The characterisations are just a little unorthodox and the whole thing, despite a soggy middle during which nothing much happens, goes with an above average swing.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 17, 2009

Full Review

Andy Webster

New York Times

Tidy, heartfelt direction by Todd Graff (Camp); astute song references; and a David Bowie cameo transcend the formula underpinnings and keep Bandslam buoyant, gratifying and, yes, rocking.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 14, 2009

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

The movie can't seem to decide whether it wants to be a Disney movie or a teen indie flick with a good soundtrack.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 31, 2021

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

For the first time this year, a teen film actually appeals to teens.

Rated: 6/10

Nov 28, 2020

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Equal parts John Hughes and Cameron Crowe with a little bit of Spike Jonze tossed in.

Rated: 3.0/4.0

Sep 2, 2020

Full Review

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Ed R

Surprisingly much better than expected!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/21/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, o elenco é mais ou menos, mas ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, a história é fraca, os personagens sao fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes para fazer o filme ser bom.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/01/25

Full Review

Frances C

A uniquely humorous and profound film, with outstanding acting, a gem poorly marketed in a '"High School Musical" genre, so it never got the exposure and audience it deserved. Director Todd Graff created a movie with perfect pitch and a huge heart to delight and engage audiences and music lovers of all ages.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/26/24

Full Review

Charlotte W

I really loved the movie it held my interest until the end!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/17/24

Full Review

Munkhchimeg T

So lovely to see they’re trying their best and hardworking. Also biig star for Vanessa Hudgens

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/27/24

Full Review

Loya C

I absolutely love this movie as it's in a way my generation's coming of age movie that has an incredible soundtrack and a great plot line. It's just a really great movie to watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/09/24

Full Review

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Todd Graff

Director

Aly Michalka

Charlotte

Vanessa Hudgens

Sa5m

Gaelan Connell

Will

Lisa Kudrow

Karen

Scott Porter

Ben

Bandslam: Official Clip - Someone to Fall Back On

2:34

Bandslam: Official Clip - Kissing Practice

3:02

Bandslam: Official Clip - I Can't Go On, I'll Go On

2:20

Bandslam: Official Clip - Band Names

1:17

Bandslam: Official Clip - Rehearsing

3:15

Bandslam: Official Clip - CBGB

2:33

Bandslam: Official Clip - Putting the Band Together

2:44

Bandslam: Official Clip - I'm Sorry, Sa5m

2:20

Bandslam: Official Clip - First Kiss

2:31

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Synopsis

A gifted singer/songwriter, Charlotte (Aly Michalka) hires Will Burton (Gaelan Connell), a new guy in town, to manage her fledgling rock band. She wants one thing from him: to help her win a contest against her ex-boyfriend in an upcoming battle of the bands. Charlotte's band comes together and seems to have a real shot at victory, while Will and dynamic guitarist Sa5m (Vanessa Hudgens) begin to make some beautiful music of their own.

Director: Todd Graff
Producer: Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas
Screenwriter: Josh A. Cagan, Todd Graff
Distributor: Summit Entertainment
Production Co: Walden Media, Goldsmith-Thomas Productions, Summit Entertainment
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Mild Language)
Genre: Musical, Comedy, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 14, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 29, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.2M
Runtime: 1h 51m

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