Slow, acting wasn't too bad. Explores real life bullying situations and consequences I would realistically give 6.2
34 Reviews
Not that bad
samde-5179513 June 2020
revenge isnt always the best but sometimes the sweetest
ops-5253513 August 2019
When reading a short summary of ''teacher'' my first thought where, this must be like ''class of 1984'' or some real bully towards nerds + protective teacher= bloody revenge..... well it became some thing like that but not so much.
what i can say though is that the main actor does a good job on the screen, and that the plot had a good float and the score made it all pretty tense. also some of the bullying where rather maliscious and even though often used as a teenage drama topic it engaged me that much that i started talking to the screen and jolting at the takes.
its actually a good film thinks the grumpy old man, the only thing missing is the bloody revenge
what i can say though is that the main actor does a good job on the screen, and that the plot had a good float and the score made it all pretty tense. also some of the bullying where rather maliscious and even though often used as a teenage drama topic it engaged me that much that i started talking to the screen and jolting at the takes.
its actually a good film thinks the grumpy old man, the only thing missing is the bloody revenge
Bullying
westsideschl6 February 2020
Opening scenes show a young man being physically manhandled by older students. The bullying theme continues for the remainder of the movie so the central plot is obvious. So how is bullying to be punished, and who's to do it - the school; other students; the police; the parents; maybe the teacher? Didn't strike me as too believable, almost as if it was happening in a vacuum.
Incredibly beautiful and unflinching.
Dev199928 August 2019
I am shocked that this film might never ever find the audience it would truly deserve, which is the biggest possible. At the time of writing this review only thirty-three people on Letterboxd have seen this movie, which only got a very small theatrical release according to IMDb, though it seems like that actually was only a digital one. It's hard to say because absolutely no one is talking about this impressive film that I would recommend to absolutely everyone I know. It's a movie that should be shown in schools. Teacher is well told, goes to unexpected places, has great performances all over, and tells its honest and deeply saddening truth. This film is a punch to the gut, but a well-meaning one and one that tells its really hard to watch story with a lot of respect but in a still uncompromising way. It isn't perfect because some things feel a bit rushed and sometimes just not fully earned, but overall it really gets its message across very powerfully and packs a lasting punch. I hope this beautiful film will somehow find an audience and maybe be seen thanks to word of mouth. If you have the chance to see it, please do so and maybe tell me what you think about it. Teacher is about hate, growing up in an unforgiving environment, finding ways to love and not give into violence, and about not ever looking away. Don't ignore the people around you, don't judge them too soon, try to talk to each other. I've never written a review close to crying before. Please give the movie a chance and while you're at it also see Detachment. That would make a saddening but necessary, made with love and incredibly underseen double feature. Both of these films were made with such care and heart, yet barely anyone has gotten the chance to see them because these types of movies aren't very easy to market in a world full of people that'd rather look away. Both films are about teachers and students, both are all about what is happening right now probably more than it ever has, letting people fall by the wayside.
VIEWS ON FILM review of Teacher
burlesonjesse523 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
A high school English teacher traumatized by being bullied himself, goes on a crusade to prevent other bullies from internally terrorizing his students. And oh yeah, the doting parents, would-be female dates, and blindsided administrators might be the enabling persecutors too (spoiler). That's the blueprint for 2019's complex, hard R-rated, and twisty, Teacher.
Teacher, with its plot detours aplenty and its unsafe, aggravation traces, is a well-acted, multiple character study. Yup, Teacher takes what feels like independent film-making and brings it to the dark dark side (and back again).
As good as any film baited on a limited release and shot in Chicago, Illinois (must have been a suburb cause I really couldn't tell), Teacher is part deranged John Hughes flick, part 1999's American Beauty, part Taxi Driver, and part One Hour Photo.
Director Adam Dick (he's a rookie) shoots Teacher with a couple of flashbacks, a penchant for astute violence, and a feel for sterile, Suburbia chic. He borrows from the likes of Mark Romanek, Sam Mendes, and Miguel Arteta but it's still all good.
Dick also gets great performances from his well cast actors. David Dastmalchian and Kevin Pollack are excellent as the respective English teacher and father of one of the nasty bullies (mentioned in the first paragraph). Dastmalchian, with revenge and loneliness on his psyche, channels his inner Travis Bickle. Pollack, a veteran of such pics as The Usual Suspects and She's All That, remains pungent as his usual, smarmy self.
All in all, Teacher doesn't quite tell you where it's headed, why its characters are so impervious, or how it will get there (that's a good thing because the whole disturbing shebang works). But its revelations about rich, dysfunctional upbringing, forced alcoholism, and high-schooling cover-ups will pull you through. Teacher "teaches" us to feel. Prepare to be forcefully agog-ed. Rating: 3 stars.
Teacher, with its plot detours aplenty and its unsafe, aggravation traces, is a well-acted, multiple character study. Yup, Teacher takes what feels like independent film-making and brings it to the dark dark side (and back again).
As good as any film baited on a limited release and shot in Chicago, Illinois (must have been a suburb cause I really couldn't tell), Teacher is part deranged John Hughes flick, part 1999's American Beauty, part Taxi Driver, and part One Hour Photo.
Director Adam Dick (he's a rookie) shoots Teacher with a couple of flashbacks, a penchant for astute violence, and a feel for sterile, Suburbia chic. He borrows from the likes of Mark Romanek, Sam Mendes, and Miguel Arteta but it's still all good.
Dick also gets great performances from his well cast actors. David Dastmalchian and Kevin Pollack are excellent as the respective English teacher and father of one of the nasty bullies (mentioned in the first paragraph). Dastmalchian, with revenge and loneliness on his psyche, channels his inner Travis Bickle. Pollack, a veteran of such pics as The Usual Suspects and She's All That, remains pungent as his usual, smarmy self.
All in all, Teacher doesn't quite tell you where it's headed, why its characters are so impervious, or how it will get there (that's a good thing because the whole disturbing shebang works). But its revelations about rich, dysfunctional upbringing, forced alcoholism, and high-schooling cover-ups will pull you through. Teacher "teaches" us to feel. Prepare to be forcefully agog-ed. Rating: 3 stars.
Honestly, I was surprised.
Jake-woodcroft2416 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I watch a lot of B movies. I love B movies. So when a friend recommended this to me I was thrilled. I was expecting high quality schlock, but was I got was a well acted, nuanced discussion about bullying. Sure it may be slow and some of the bullying is comically over the top, but the last 30 minutes completely changed my opinion on the film. It's not an Oscar film, but it's pretty good.
I really didn't expect the film to change its tone, and just have revenge on the bully from the teacher, but instead it tells a different lesson, behind the bully is an abusive father. While I learned this in grade school, and it's by no means profound or new, it was unexpected. It was clever, and brought some greater meaning to the movie as a whole.
I really didn't expect the film to change its tone, and just have revenge on the bully from the teacher, but instead it tells a different lesson, behind the bully is an abusive father. While I learned this in grade school, and it's by no means profound or new, it was unexpected. It was clever, and brought some greater meaning to the movie as a whole.
Shows how things have changed so much.
Jscooter41424 August 2019
I grew up in a time when bullying was low key for the most part , then an event like Columbine happened, still that does not compare to today in the many tragedies happening involving young people . When a coworker tells you his son and daughter are now being home schooled. It says a lot about the mental state of our society in how children are being raised in bullying others. This movie is worth a watch for that, in making you think, how can we change these issues.
It's a weird one with "Teacher" (2019)
trainlvr-3957812 February 2020
Some segments of the story are deep and complex, others are comical and silly. Some shots are dazzling and even stunning, while others appear as if they were ripped straight from a sitcom. Sometimes the characters are believable and interesting, other times they're out-of-this-world and laughable.
Honestly, "Teacher" is not terrible. In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed a few parts of it. The obvious "Taxi Driver" influences made me smile, and hearing John Maus in a film nearly made me jump with joy, but the fact remains that the film just scrapes by with an above average rating on my end. Perhaps with a bigger budget, or if the director had a stronger prevalent style, "Teacher" could've left a much larger impact on me.
Honestly, "Teacher" is not terrible. In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed a few parts of it. The obvious "Taxi Driver" influences made me smile, and hearing John Maus in a film nearly made me jump with joy, but the fact remains that the film just scrapes by with an above average rating on my end. Perhaps with a bigger budget, or if the director had a stronger prevalent style, "Teacher" could've left a much larger impact on me.
Slow-moving and predictable low budget thriller about high school bullying
akcenat19 September 2019
Average "B" drama about high school bullying with a thriller narrative and a missed opportunity to elevate the story which never overcomes the limitations of film small budget. All in all, the main issue here is that the story is easily predictable and you can ... kind of ... figure out where this is all going in the first 15 minutes.
Rating: 5
Rating: 5
grab bag of social issues
ferguson-614 August 2019
Greetings again from the darkness. The first feature film from writer-director Adam Dick is actually a full length version of his own short film (same title) from a couple of years ago. In it, he covers many of today's hot topics: bullying, racism, white privilege, and gun control. No one can argue against any film that takes on these issues, and the filmmaker gets many things right in this low budget presentation.
David Dastmalchian (whose crazed eyes we first noticed in THE DARK KNIGHT, 2008) stars as James Lewis, a devoted English teacher who cares about students despite his own personal issues. Those issues include a rough divorce, anger issues, alcoholism, and a less-than-ideal childhood. Having been bullied himself as a youngster, he recognizes what his mirror image student is going through. Preston (Matthew Garry) is a shy, sensitive, intelligent student who has a knack for photography. Preston is also the target of school bully Tim Cooper (a talented Curtis Edward Jackson), a star athlete and son of powerful local community businessman Bernard Cooper (the always excellent Kevin Pollack). When Preston befriends Daniela (Esme Perez), she also becomes a target - this time of cruel cyberbullying.
During Lewis' class, Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" provides literary symmetry to the student experience, especially when the focus is on Shylock. This is the most creative portion of the film, and it's a film that does a pretty nice job of capturing the helplessness of meek students, as well as the lack of power a school official often has in such situations. The film and characters are at their best in those moments of fear, frustration and desperation.
What doesn't work so well is Mr. Lewis as a vigilante. At that point, it feels like a fantasy solution to a real world problem. Still, there are enough solid points and performances to keep us mostly engaged ... especially when Kevin Pollack (he's worked consistently and quite well since the mid-1980's) spews forth with privileged rich guy righteousness. Sure, it's all a bit obvious and over-the-top, but there is some underlying truth here as well.
David Dastmalchian (whose crazed eyes we first noticed in THE DARK KNIGHT, 2008) stars as James Lewis, a devoted English teacher who cares about students despite his own personal issues. Those issues include a rough divorce, anger issues, alcoholism, and a less-than-ideal childhood. Having been bullied himself as a youngster, he recognizes what his mirror image student is going through. Preston (Matthew Garry) is a shy, sensitive, intelligent student who has a knack for photography. Preston is also the target of school bully Tim Cooper (a talented Curtis Edward Jackson), a star athlete and son of powerful local community businessman Bernard Cooper (the always excellent Kevin Pollack). When Preston befriends Daniela (Esme Perez), she also becomes a target - this time of cruel cyberbullying.
During Lewis' class, Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" provides literary symmetry to the student experience, especially when the focus is on Shylock. This is the most creative portion of the film, and it's a film that does a pretty nice job of capturing the helplessness of meek students, as well as the lack of power a school official often has in such situations. The film and characters are at their best in those moments of fear, frustration and desperation.
What doesn't work so well is Mr. Lewis as a vigilante. At that point, it feels like a fantasy solution to a real world problem. Still, there are enough solid points and performances to keep us mostly engaged ... especially when Kevin Pollack (he's worked consistently and quite well since the mid-1980's) spews forth with privileged rich guy righteousness. Sure, it's all a bit obvious and over-the-top, but there is some underlying truth here as well.
slow
incredingo-3776915 August 2019
Loved the movie
wp-4891521 August 2019
I watched Teacher for the second time today and loved it. The story is so realistic and the character development was great. The storyline kept my interest throughout the film. I plan on recommending the movie to all of my movie loving friends.
Near Miss of a Film Includes Poignant Moments
lavatch17 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The problem with "Teacher" is that the filmmakers could never make up their mind how to approach the serious topic of bullying. Was this primarily a social drama? Was it dark comedy? Was it a horror picture? Was it a revenge/action picture? The film combined genres into a mishmash of cinematic forms.
The strength of the film was in the interesting set of characters and the attempt to expose bullying, especially for young people at home and in school. The film was successful in portraying the life-damaging consequences of bullying.
We saw this theme unfold through the lens of the protagonist, the English teacher James Lewis. We watch him try to get students to grapple with the question of victimhood in their study of Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice." Like Shylock in the play, Lewis feels that he is an outsider to his world after his own history of abuse at home and at school. Now, in a leadership role, Lewis finds himself in the position to do something about stemming the abuse that he witnesses in his classroom.
Sadly, Lewis was not a very likable character himself, based upon his strange behavior and the inept way that he seeks to help the young couple of Preston and Daniela. The film's ending takes a bizarre and head-scratching turn with Lewis turning the film into a kind of "Death Wish" revenge saga.
The filmmakers deserve credit for raising consciousness about bullying. While it may not be endemic in society to the degree that it is depicted in the film, it is important to understand how any form of bullying may result in a lifetime of damage to a fragile psyche.
One of the best scenes in the film was the confessional of Arabella, who opened up to Lewis about her own history of abuse. Lewis's callous response was surprising, given his own passivity in the face of abuse. He should have responded to her with compassion. Instead, he berated her, she left the bar, and never reappeared in the film. It was in the poor handling of moments like this one that the film let its audience down.
The strength of the film was in the interesting set of characters and the attempt to expose bullying, especially for young people at home and in school. The film was successful in portraying the life-damaging consequences of bullying.
We saw this theme unfold through the lens of the protagonist, the English teacher James Lewis. We watch him try to get students to grapple with the question of victimhood in their study of Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice." Like Shylock in the play, Lewis feels that he is an outsider to his world after his own history of abuse at home and at school. Now, in a leadership role, Lewis finds himself in the position to do something about stemming the abuse that he witnesses in his classroom.
Sadly, Lewis was not a very likable character himself, based upon his strange behavior and the inept way that he seeks to help the young couple of Preston and Daniela. The film's ending takes a bizarre and head-scratching turn with Lewis turning the film into a kind of "Death Wish" revenge saga.
The filmmakers deserve credit for raising consciousness about bullying. While it may not be endemic in society to the degree that it is depicted in the film, it is important to understand how any form of bullying may result in a lifetime of damage to a fragile psyche.
One of the best scenes in the film was the confessional of Arabella, who opened up to Lewis about her own history of abuse. Lewis's callous response was surprising, given his own passivity in the face of abuse. He should have responded to her with compassion. Instead, he berated her, she left the bar, and never reappeared in the film. It was in the poor handling of moments like this one that the film let its audience down.
Opposite of Myscroft
uasmae_simoi11 September 2019
If You Can Overlook Liberal Tendancies, Then There's A Lesson To Be Learned
Willie-1214 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
There is exactly no doubt that Teacher was very low budget. There is also no doubt that it had liberal leanings and symbolism (i.e. the rich, one-percenter white guy who likes to collect firearms is the villain; the common folk are the victims; etc.). And some of the acting was not real great and a bit melodramatic (that being said, I thought David Dastmalchian was very good in the lead role). However, if you can get past all of that, then you will probably find many of the elements and issues raised in the film pretty compelling. For example, the film touches on multiple themes that plague our society in the here and now (both physical and cyber bullying, suicide, emotional and physical abuse of a child, divorce, and so on). I was impressed with what the filmmakers were able to accomplish on such a shoestring budget. It is better than many theatrical releases.
Blehhh
pretty_punkie7 May 2020
It's ok. Not bad, but it's missing something. The whole time. We're expecting the teacher to seek vengeance or do something to fight for those kids who are being bullied... he kind of does, but not quite...??? And then goes to jail for trespassing...? Not exactly sure what he actually did? Anyways. It's not bad, it's just not satisfying.
Why lie about Ramadan!!
bnz-522376 May 2020
In a film that is supposed to carry a message about bullying, why on earth would the scenario writer or the director pose a lie about Ramadan? In a random conversation that has nothing to do with the plot, the girlfriend says:" everyday they slaughter a goat and at the end of Ramadan the streets will be full with blood, which is hard on someone who is vegetarian, hahah" .. A big lie of course that has nothing to do with the plot! It's funny how a film about bullying would practice bullying against people for whom Ramadan is sacred and represents a month of spiritual elevation!
Sometimes you gotta pick a side
nogodnomasters5 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
James Lewis (David Dastmalchian) was bullied as a child. He has mood swings, a drinking problem, and is getting divorced. He goes to great lengths to protect two students that are being bullied by the school's top pitcher.
You may never grow tired of watching films and bullying, but I do. This one was one of the most boring of the lot. It follows the theme of the character of Shylock.
Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.
You may never grow tired of watching films and bullying, but I do. This one was one of the most boring of the lot. It follows the theme of the character of Shylock.
Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.
Real life
deefaah1 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is a good example of what is going in the world today. There are campaigns against bullying. Bullying effects people from childhood to adulthood, from the start of school to the workplace. I am not familiar with the actors of this movie, but I recommended to friends as a good movie to watch. I am sure that anyone who watches this movie will remember when they were bullied. Bullies are everywhere.
Ridiculous
grayarea-4504726 May 2020
Maybe if this movie were set in the 1970s, I would buy the premise a little more. But even then, it still goes into campiness toward the end. It's a shame though because the basic scenario has a lot of possibilities. But Teacher went way too far off the deep end to make me do anything but laugh.
Signed by, A teacher
Signed by, A teacher
There was so much potential there...
paul_haakonsen9 April 2022
I had the 2019 drama "Teacher" lying around for quite some time before I actually got around to watching it. Why? Well, because I never had heard about the movie, and the synopsis just seemed a bit too generic, as it sounded like so many other movies with teachers involved in bullying and such in their schools.
And now I have finally gotten around to watching what writer and director Adam Dick had to offer with the 2019 drama "Teacher". I have to say that it wasn't a whole lot actually.
The movie started out quite okay, and the whole thing with the bullying and the responses of the victims was quite interesting, and it was something that a great many viewers would be able to relate to, unfortunately. And that is the strong aspect of the storyline, because it hits the nail right on the head.
But then the movie took a change for the more bizarre, as the teacher James Lewis turned into a vigilante of sorts. I personally didn't like that particular change of events in the storyline, and I feel it just took everything that the movie had established up to that point and just threw it all down the drain. However, the first half of the movie was definitely good, and it is well worth watching.
Something else that actually makes "Teacher" worth watching is the rather intense and believable performances by the cast. Lead actor David Dastmalchian (playing James Lewis) was rather well-cast for the role, and it wasn't his fault that the movie went from great to being sort of dubious given the change in script. The movie also had some really powerful performances by Esme Perez (playing Daniela Lopez), Matthew Garry (playing Preston Walsh) and Curtis Edward Jackson (playing Tim Cooper).
"Teacher" is certainly a watchable movie, I will say that. It is just that I personally didn't care much for the teacher-turned-vigilante aspect of the storyline.
My rating of "Teacher" is unfortunately tainted by the teacher-turned-vigilante change to the storyline, and thus the movie settles on a mediocre five out of ten stars.
And now I have finally gotten around to watching what writer and director Adam Dick had to offer with the 2019 drama "Teacher". I have to say that it wasn't a whole lot actually.
The movie started out quite okay, and the whole thing with the bullying and the responses of the victims was quite interesting, and it was something that a great many viewers would be able to relate to, unfortunately. And that is the strong aspect of the storyline, because it hits the nail right on the head.
But then the movie took a change for the more bizarre, as the teacher James Lewis turned into a vigilante of sorts. I personally didn't like that particular change of events in the storyline, and I feel it just took everything that the movie had established up to that point and just threw it all down the drain. However, the first half of the movie was definitely good, and it is well worth watching.
Something else that actually makes "Teacher" worth watching is the rather intense and believable performances by the cast. Lead actor David Dastmalchian (playing James Lewis) was rather well-cast for the role, and it wasn't his fault that the movie went from great to being sort of dubious given the change in script. The movie also had some really powerful performances by Esme Perez (playing Daniela Lopez), Matthew Garry (playing Preston Walsh) and Curtis Edward Jackson (playing Tim Cooper).
"Teacher" is certainly a watchable movie, I will say that. It is just that I personally didn't care much for the teacher-turned-vigilante aspect of the storyline.
My rating of "Teacher" is unfortunately tainted by the teacher-turned-vigilante change to the storyline, and thus the movie settles on a mediocre five out of ten stars.
boring
watcher201924 January 2021
I saw a lot of good reveiws for this film and thought ok why have i never heard of this? Probably because it is very very boring. Nothing happens, i mean nothing. The last 20 mins are the best part. The acting is very good but it all ends in nothing. If you dont have anything else to do maybe you could watch this, and i mean nothing cleaning the house would be more beneficial. All those good reviews.........why?
Totally engrossing
andrewcollins-866531 October 2021
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