School of Life (2005)

Pretty Good

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

I sat through this movie because my wife wanted to watch it. She liked it? I thought it had an OK message for kids under 10. But for adults; terrible acting, silly plot, painful to watch to the end. I would rather have caught up on my sleep or been happier doing my taxes. Enough said.

Norman Warner (John Astin) is a long time winner of Teacher of the Year award from the students. When he dies on the podium, he tells his son and fellow teacher Matt (David Paymer) to take his shot. A new teacher Mr D (Ryan Reynolds) comes in and quickly is the most popular. Matt has to battle the newbie for Teacher of the Year.David Paymer is too small for the lead role. He doesn't have the energy or the fun to drive this movie. Andrew Robb who plays the kid is little better. Ryan Reynolds is certainly his charismatic self.It's more serious than funny. I can't imagine anybody rooting for Matt. He is frustratingly small. The style is low budget weak and without excitement. The good thing is there's a lesson here that hits you over the head.

Norman Warner (John Astin) was a stellar instructor for a school system in a small city. But, after winning "teacher of the year" awards for years, he suffered a heart attack and died. His son, Matt (David Paymer) is a teacher, also, and has aspirations of his own to be a stand-out, trophy-winning class leader. But, his style is very different from his dad's, more "by the book" and few students really like him, including his own teenage son who attends the school. Then, too, the place just got a fabulous new teacher, Mr. DeAngelo (Ryan Reynolds) who makes history instruction come alive with many creative techniques. It would appear that Mr. D has much better chance of winning accolades, thus ruining the Warner family's long line of awards. Can you spell competition? Then, too, although a lovely young female teacher has a crush on Mr. D, he discourages her advances beyond friendship. Are there more secrets to tumble out? This was truly another good entry into the genre of "school movies", such as Dangerous Minds, School of Rock and the like. Alternating between upbeat and sad themes, it has some good lessons to convey. The cast is nice, with Paymer and Reynolds doing fine work as the principal actors, although initially it seems RR is all wrong for the part. The rest of the players do a nice job as well. Aiding in the film's success, too, are the attractive setting, costumes, camera-work, script and direction. In short, do go "back to school" and make time to view this sweet little winner. It has some hidden values behind its lighter moments.

Sheesh! What a pile! I cant even fathom how some commentators are giving this 'film' full marks. Cutesy, schmaltzy rubbish. Admittedly Ryan Reynolds has been OK in the past with a kind of teen-movie physical comedy, but this drivel (seemingly an attempt at a serious role) leaves me wondering how people get the funds to make these type of films. Textbook crap on a stick. Go and watch Stand & Deliver. There's some crap with a bit of grit at least. My lord, this is awful. It's like a Frankenstein's monster of the worst 'unconventional teacher turns school system on its head' films (of which there are many.) You can almost hear the pages of the scriptwriting manuals turning and the yawns of the extras. The kids are talentless and unlikeable and I found myself not really caring how it turned out. And for those who disagree with my statements about the clichéd nature of this...thing, about 1 hour and 45 minutes in when he walks through the door of the gym in a shaft of white light? Come on! A joke. The money was better spent on cocaine. I'd rather watch 'Female Trouble' again.