FILM: BAD TEACHER – IRISH CORRESPONDENT
Review By James Mason
Director: Jake Kasdan
Cast: Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Lucy Punch, John Michael Higgins and Jason Segel.
Rating: * * * 1/2
Synopsis: Some teachers just don’t give an F. For example, there’s Elizabeth (Cameron Diaz). She’s foul-mouthed, ruthless, and inappropriate. She drinks, she gets high, and she can’t wait to marry her meal ticket and get out of her bogus day job. When she’s dumped by her fiance, she sets her plan in motion to win over a rich, handsome substitute (Justin Timberlake) – competing for his affections with an overly energetic colleague, Amy (Lucy Punch). When Elizabeth also finds herself fighting off the advances of a sarcastic, irreverent gym teacher (Jason Segel), the consequences of her wild and outrageous schemes give her students, her coworkers, and even herself an education like no other.
Review:
It’s been a long time since I’ve actually seen Cameron Diaz actually make an effort in a film. I think that maybe after making so much money from the Shrek movies that she just coasted along doing vacuous rom-coms. In a way that attitude of doing the bare minimum may have given Ms Diaz the perfect preparation for Bad Teacher. Thanks to Jake Kasdan’s assured but not too heavy-handed direction she manages to be both obnoxious but still relatable. Kasdan cleverly surrounds her with a good group of comedic actors that together with a solid script elevates this from a fluff piece to a film that has shades of an indie movie running through it.
The supporting cast here are very impressive and Lucy Punch manages to standout amongst the likes of Diaz, Timberlake and Segal. Her performance as Diaz’s teaching and romantic rival is great as she does the overly sweet yet not quite sincere Amy Squirrel very well. Imagine if you will a female version of The Simpsons loveable Ned Flanders and then build a comparison from there. Phyllis Smith also does a memorable turn as Lynn Davies the unlikely friend of Elizabeth Halsey (Diaz). She is quite amusing as a very indecisive woman that would like but not crave companionship. I’m also going to have to give props here to Mr Trousersnake himself as Justin Timberlake plays his part as the object of desire pitch perfect. He portrays a substitute teacher that initially seems very PC but has no actual depth. He’ll say the right thing to everyone even if he does contradict himself seconds after making a statement. It is his liking for the more buxom woman that is the basis for Diaz trying to raise funds for a breast-op. This in turn gives the movie several funny scenes. By no means a stranger to this type of comedy, Jason Segal as Russell Gettis gives one of his most likeable performances yet.
While quite funny the movie seemed to really have a dual identity. On one hand it seemed like it wanted to be a Farrelly Brothers comedy and on another it tried to be more of an arthouse/indie movie. It was a bit of a letdown as Jake Kasdan is very good at both styles but I think the film would have been better served if it just concentrated on one.
Overall Bad Teacher is a fun evening with some laugh out loud moments and a thinly disguised but honest message that looks and money aren’t everything. A good couple’s movie that won’t bore either half.
