Bandslam 2009

Will Burton, a devoted music enthusiast with a particular admiration for David Bowie, finds himself embarking on a new journey when his mother, Karen, changes jobs and moves the family. Eager to escape the painful memories of bullying he endured at his previous school, Will steps into this new environment with cautious optimism. During lunch, he encounters the mysterious Sa5m (pronounced Sam, with a silent 5), who introduces him to the exhilarating world of Bandslam, an annual music competition that offers the winning band the enticing prize of a recording contract.

As their unique friendship blossoms, it faces challenges when Will becomes the romantic interest of Charlotte Barnes—a talented singer-songwriter whose musical taste captivates him. Having noticed Will’s impressive musical knowledge, Charlotte invites him to manage her band, which takes the name “I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On.” This band welcomes a diverse lineup, featuring Bug and Omar, and eventually expands to include a variety of like-minded musicians passionate about their craft. As the band gathers momentum and their sound sharpens, Will starts to step out of the shadows of his past.

However, Will’s new role as Charlotte’s manager complicates his school project with Sa5m, sparking tensions in their friendship. As if things weren’t complicated enough, Charlotte takes it upon herself to teach Will the nuances of romance, culminating in an eye-opening moment where she demonstrates kissing on him. Filled with newfound bravado, Will manages to share a kiss with Sa5m after a rocky beginning, but she becomes distant when he flakes on a planned movie outing to attend a concert with Charlotte instead.

This leads to Sa5m shutting him out at school, driving Will to seek her out and apologize. During his visit, her mother presents him with an endearing video of young Sa5m performing “Everything I Own” in hopes of mending bridges. Unfortunately, when Sa5m returns home, she lashes out at Will, prompting him to respond thoughtfully by creating a heartfelt documentary for his Human Studies class showcasing Sa5m’s story, which ultimately heals their rift.

Meanwhile, their nemesis, Ben, becomes determined to embarrass Will by revealing his troubled family history. Through his digging, he unveils the shocking details about Will’s father, who was imprisoned for a drunk-driving incident that tragically claimed an innocent child’s life. This sensitive subject leads Ben to belittle Will by branding him with the stinging nickname “Dewey,” a constant reminder of his father’s mistakes.

In another twist, Charlotte’s world is turned upside down with the death of her father. In an attempt to honor his memory, she decides to leave the band and remodel her life after feeling constrained by her past. The band, hurt but resolute, chooses to press on without her, with Sa5m stepping up as the new frontwoman.

On the eve of Bandslam, Charlotte surprises everyone by coming backstage to extend an apology, which the band graciously accepts. Just before they’re set to perform, they face an unexpected hurdle: Ben’s rival band, the Glory Dogs, ends up playing the same song they had planned to showcase. In a moment of quick thinking, Will channels inspiration from Sa5m’s mother’s earlier video and suggests they perform “Everything I Own” instead.

Initially met with silence and jeers of “Dewey,” Will cleverly flips the script by joining in on the chant, transforming it into a rallying cry: “Do we wanna ROCK?!” This unexpected move propels the band into a spirited performance of “Everything I Own.” While they don’t clinch the top prize, their electrifying performance goes viral on YouTube, etched in their school’s memory and catching the attention of none other than David Bowie himself, who reaches out to express interest in signing them.

As Will and Sa5m take in this whirlwind of success, they celebrate Charlotte’s graduation, a powerful reminder of the impact that friendship, resilience, and a shared love for music can have on one’s journey through life.