Hugh Jackman shines in brilliant high school comedy-drama

paul-allaer

"Bad Education" (2019 release; 109 min.) is "based on a true story", we are reminded at the beginning. As the movie opens, it is "Long Island, NY, 2002" and we are at Roslyn High School, where Frank Tassone is being honored as the District Superintendent. He deals with a worried mom, and gladly gives a quote to the school's student newspaper about the planned sky walk, encouraging the young lady (Rachel) to make it more than just a fluff piece. Rachel takes him up on his advice and asks more questions to Pam, the school's head of admin. Soon Rachel notices things don't add up... At this point we are 15 min. into the movie but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this is the latest film from mega-star High Jackman. Here he plays District Superintendent Tasson, who along with Pam Gluckin has devised a scheme intended to embezzle money from the well-off Roslyn public school district. At first, Tassone seems to be nothing short of a super hero who leads Roslyn High School to top academic rankings never achieved before (always measured by the number of Ivy League's early admissions). Then we pick up hints left and right that things may not quite seem what they are. Jackman is utterly brilliant at Tassone, and Allison Janney is equally delightful as Pam. Much credit must also go to screenwriter Mike Makowsly and director Corey Finley, who strike a delicate balance between comedy and drama, as there is indeed a lot to chuckle about if it weren't so inherently devious and sad. By the time the end credits start rolling to the tune of Dido's "White Flag", we have been through a delightful roller coaster of emotions, blessed with some outstanding acting performances.

"Bad Education" premiered last Fall at the Toronto International Film Festival to immediate and universal critical acclaim. HBO snapped it up for mega-bucks. The film opened on HBO this weekend and is not available on HBO On Demand and other streaming services. If you are in the mood for a comedy-drama with serious social commentary undercurrents and starring a fantastic Hugh Jackman, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.

score 8/10

paul-allaer 26 April 2020

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw5679051/