Metascore

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 10 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

  • Summary: It is 1986. An emotionally damaged New York reporter is sent to cover the hometown hoopla for a local hero. But rather than pursue his assignment, which leaves him cold, he follows a group of disaffected students, whose own hero - their beloved, unconventional teacher has just died under a cloud of scandal. Their passionate and, at times, ludicrous expressions of grief attract the reporter. He moves into their alternate universe, a willing "substitute teacher", but descends into a web of lies and misplaced sexual desire with this group of confused and combustible youths who attempt to cast him as their new hero and teacher. (Sony Pictures) Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 10
  2. Negative: 8 out of 10
  1. 60
    Director and co-writer Jonathan Glatzer handles his talented cast well, and the movie is dark, droll and sentimental in roughly the correct proportions. Worth a look.
  2. 30
    The thesis-driven story precludes much dramatic discovery, and the looming shuttle disaster only exacerbates the sense of heavy-handedness.
  3. Even when Mr. Coogan can't make his scenes work, his prickly presence keeps you watching, as does the eerie scenes of winter that Mr. Glatzer captures with the camera.
  4. Glatzer's self-consciously quirky indie is misguided on every level.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. ashleyj
    10
    I liked this movie. it was messy and had too many things going on to the point where i was confused but, hey, it rocked!
  2. bentlyh
    10
    Creative and a very good movie. i enjoyed it.
  3. brandyh
    10
    Ok, it was weird and not the best movie, but I enjoyed it. I think Hilary Duff did very well, at least out of them all. But still, it was a movie i"d watch again. Expand
  4. JayH
    4
    Director Glatzer has too many things going on, the film lacks focus, but he does have an interesting style, and time will tell if he develops it effectively. The cast tries, Steve Coogan is quite bland though. Too many slow and uninteresting stretches. Expand

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