[3.0/4.0]
Many would consider the career of the public school teacher to be among the most thankless of occupations. Stories of idealistic individuals slogging through warlike conditions are sadly common. This setting provides the backdrop for this film, a searing dark comedy.
This film is clearly constructed to make a case for teachers. In the film, as in real life, teachers must face numerous obstacles. Students are apathetic, hostile, and even violent. Administrators are ineffectual, and oppressively burdensome with bureaucratic policies. Parents threaten litigation in response to attempts at discipline. In reality the situation is universally considered a tragedy, and this film, like many good works of literature, successfully spins comedy from tragedy.
The story begins by introducing Mr. Walmsley (John Davies), a man with a shady past connected with the circus. He accepts a position as a substitute teacher in a suburban public high school, a world perhaps more bizarre than the one he left. Being new, he finds that he is one of the few whose spirit has not been broken down by the system. He finds a kindred spirit in the art teacher, Ms. Germaine (Marsha Dietlein). Each in their own way fights a losing battle in their effort to make a difference in the lives of their students.
Eventually Walmsley realizes that there is no way to reach the students within the restrictions of the existing framework. He fashions an extreme scheme to address some of the most troubled students. He uses his circus background to fashion a more severe form of "detention", which is a common and ineffective punishment for students where they are required to stay after school hours and sit quietly in a classroom. It is only a slight form of punitive imprisonment. The approach taken by Walmsley will be jarring to many viewers, and director Andy Anderson states that it is meant to be comically disturbing.
The strength of the film is that the comedy is consistent (the story does not follow the cliche of becoming serious and humorless at the climax), and the comedy is often quite clever. The film is also unpredictable. Although the viewer is aware of where the journey will ultimately end, it is never clear how it will get there.
The primary weakness of the film is the transparent agenda that is being pushed. This could have been a problem if the film was not so entertaining. The other minor detriment is some of the acting. Although most of the adult roles were convincing, the students never emerge beyond typical adolescent stereotypes. However, the film is well written, and reflects the satirical wit of the filmmaker.
Highly recommended. The film sometimes uses jarring imagery, but this is to be expected in a black comedy. It is imaginative and funny, and it results in an enjoyable experience.
(c) 2000 Murali Krishnan The Art House Squatter http://ArtHouseSquatter.com
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