187 (1997) (Actor: Samuel L. Jackson) (5/14/09-5/20/09)

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Permalink Reply by ToxicDon on May 26, 2009 at 10:00pm

We all come to movies with our own biases. I like to watch movies for escapism. I procrastinated watching this one because the subject matter hits too close to reality as my wife is a teacher. She's had kids lie about her (happening more and more), bump her and claim she battered them, and has even had to get a restraining order against parents who have threatened to harm her for "failing" their kid. This is not escapism, this is reality in the public school system.

Samuel L. Jackson played his character well. Why someone who survived what happened to him would return to teaching is beyond me. The "love of teaching" answer just doesn't cut it. As you watch the movie, you become aware of just how this effected him and why he is still doing it. Chilling. That being said, this movie is similar to many others on the same topic. Vigilante justice by teachers fed up with the crap they have to put up with to reach the few students who want to learn... nothing new here. You don't sympathize with the characters, even the ones you are "supposed" to in the story because the movie doesn't give you enough to make you care. It is padded with scenes to show you the plight of the violent students and what makes them that way. Again, this is supposed to invoke sympathy for their situation. I didn't feel it. Violence is a choice someone makes, not a means to right the wrongs of society. Average movie with some good performances (Jackson and Arroyove - the young ldy who plays Rita - come immediately to mind).

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Permalink Reply by wowwee123 on May 26, 2009 at 11:40pm

I watched it a while back I was touched very much by Samuel L. Jackson's character. He really tries to make a difference & succeeds.

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