BAD TEACHER (2011)

Directed By: Jake Kasdan 
Written By: Gene Stupnitsky & Lee Eisenberg 
Cinematography By: Alar Kivilo 
Editor: Tara Timpone 

 Cast: Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Justin Timberlake, Lucy Punch, Phyllis Smith, Eric Stonestreet, John Michael Higgins, Thomas Lennon, Dave Allen, Nat Faxon, Alana Ubach, David Paymer, Stephanie Faracy, Jeff Judah, Molly Shannon, Rick Overton, Matt Besser


When her wealthy fiancé breaks it off, gold digger Elizabeth Halsey returns to middle school: she's an awful teacher but wants to save for breast-implant surgery. She brightens when Scott, a new teacher, turns out to be rich, and she stops showing films and sleeping in class when told there's a bonus for the teacher whose class scores highest on the state exam. Her competition for Scott and the bonus is cheery and tightly wound Amy. Amy digs for dirt on Elizabeth who cheats her way toward Scott's bed and the money. Honesty with students seems to be her only skill. She ignores Russell, a droll gym teacher, who looks on. Will she succeed with Scott and get those new breasts?

Uninspired and feels like more what a family friendly film would think of as being bad. As it never truly reaches devilish heights of humor or behavior. Maybe more because it deals with kids for much of it's scenes.

I will admit I prefer my comedies dark. So when one is advertised, hinted at or Promised to be and it doesn't deliver or wise flirts with yen then goes in a different direction. I will be disappointed yet try to stay open minded with a minor chip on my shoulder that has been earned. Now of it's a decent film it can overcome and find it's way to victory. Though if not I might judge it more. Harshly then it deserves. I am human and just like most audiences I have certain expectations, but try to keep an open mind and accept whatever is thrown at me.

Nothing here feels organic, real nor natural. Everything feels planned and set up. It's never amusing as things just seem to happen. The more outlandish, but if you are going there have the courage to stand by your decisions not curve at the last minute.

The sexy bombshell scene of Cameron Diaz at a car wash isn't even really sexy or enticing as it is played up to be or made to seem. It feels like when the media plays up the beauty and talent of actor or actress that you continue to watch and still don't seem to ever see.

Her character is lazy though energetic in schemes though tries to be bad.

Cameron Diaz is serviceable. She over it her all, but she doesn't really challenge herself to play a character. She plays more of an idea of one l. Like a skit character given their own movie. A generic one.

I usually don't mind her or fin her charming and engaging, bit she needs a McCognahey type comeback. As it seems she is successful in hits but the quality of the movies. She has appeared in over the years had gone down considerably. As she seems to take the same type of roles (Though strangely if it was a better movie. I could have seen her killing it In MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND)Throughout the movie, Ms. Diaz wears mostly Christian Louboutin shoes. This is due to a contract between the movie producers and Louboutin himself for marketing his company's red-soled shoes

Justin Timberlake isn't even really a character in this film more like a plot device.

The only time the film comes alive is whenever Jason Segel in on screen and Lucy Punch who is hilarious though her role seems more set out to embarass then showcase her comedic talent. She prospers as she proceeds with her head held high in the role. That of better written could have been a breakout role.

The film feels more episodic then anything.

Even the type is derivative, but plays it light and then once it seems to finally be going in the right direction, buckles at the End by her gaining a heart and settling down

My disappointment might be also that I read the script before I saw the film. The script wasn't great but certainly better and stronger then the watered down version we see here.

I was initially excited at the prophecy of this film as it is directed by Jake Kasdan. Who makes usually smart dark comedies that are more subtle an insane. Here It seems he signed up for one film, but got another or did it so he could have a hot to move on and make more personal films.

The film has no stakes really. While it's fine for disposable film entertainment. It seemed like it was going to be about more and have substance other then coming up with a title and write around that for a general audience.

 Grade: C-