Bad Teacher

Bad Bad Teacher - Baddest Teacher in the Whole System
Bad Teacher, R, *1/2, Cameron Diaz, ‘Justin Timberlake, Jason Segel, Lucy Punch, Phyllis Smith. Columbia film. Director Jake Kasden. Length 92 minutes.

I am reminded of the song by Jim Croce - Bad Leroy Brown. I have known a few bad teachers, but not as bad as Elizabeth Halsey (Cameron Diaz). Elizabeth is a gold digger, slacker, and druggie with a foul mouth. She is a selfish individual looking for easy street.
Allow me to say this. Teaching is not an easy job when it is done correctly. It is a rewarding job with lots of memories of students especially when I see them after they have left school, found a job, or furthering their education.
In fact, I saw some former students in the theater lobby before I viewed the movie. There is not a more rewarding vocation than teaching and becoming a part of bringing K-12 education to the forefront. Now, I work as Technology Coordinator helping to implement collaboration, creativity, and cooperative learning to students through technology. I try to never miss an opportunity to support public education. After all this is a movie about teachers. Unfortunately, there are some bad teachers in this movie.
I am back on track with the movie review. Elizabeth has just been dumped by her fiancé. He has plenty of money, and currency is what she wants, but her plans have been changed. After leaving public education at the school where she has been teaching, she must return. Depressed and unhappy, she shows movies to the students during every class. Scott Delacorte (Justin Timberlake) is a new teacher at the school who seems to have money.
Elizabeth wants to get a breast enlargement. However, she does not have the money to do this. At this point she organizes a car wash. The audience gets a look at Elizabeth wearing very little apparel and washing cars. It will remind the audience of the scene from “Cool Hand Luke.” The prisoners watch a well built woman washing a car. It goes without saying, this upsets them.
When Elizabeth discovers that a large sum of money will be given to the teacher whose students score the highest on the State Test, Elizabeth begins to drive her students to becoming masters of the material.
Unfortunately, the year is half over so she begins to concoct another plan. This one is devious and extremely illegal.
The audience gets a close look at students with problems such as bullying. Of course, problems with students should be addressed promptly. Issues with students must be taken seriously. Teachers should be on the look out for problems that begin to develop among their students.
This does not seem to be Elizabeth’s strong point - or is it. The movie tries to make a turnaround at the end. Unfortunately, the entire movie along with the ending is lame. It just does not connect with the viewer.
The audience meets some dedicated teachers along with some not so good ones. We see teachers who have led sheltered lives, others that are always trying to be in the spotlight, and a gym teacher that is laid back.
I cannot say much more about this movie. As a friend of mine said, “It is what it is.” Do not go expecting very much. That way the viewer will not be disappointed. If one just wants to watch total mindless entertainment with drug use, alcohol consumption, bad language, and just about anything that can be thought of, this movie might be interesting. However, I cannot recommend it.