Disc Reviews

The English Teacher Review

25th Feb 2014

A twee plot that is saved from total oblivion by the strength of Julianne Moore’s acting prowess; this film proves once and for all that I can enjoy any film that Moore stars in.

Julianne Moore stars as Linda Sinclair; a mild-mannered, earnest and seemingly judicious high school English teacher, whose search for love has been amicably put to one side as she enters her forties. However, her humdrum life of herbal tea and period dramas is catapulted into free fall with the arrival of Jason, one of her most gifted students. Jason has returned from New York where his dreams of being a playwright have been prematurely squashed. Linda, ever the dutiful and encouraging teacher, decides to produce his play – the first in a long series of bad decisions.

Its quite sweet, the addition of an English narrator adds a Emma-esqe period drama feel to it, which ties in very nicely. There are some funny touches, like the on-screen animation that shows Linda evaluating her dates and why they arn’t quite grade A material. Everyone else in it seems to be a bit miscast, it seems to be aiming for kooky, but never quite hitting it. Greg Kinnear feels a bit like he’s just been added in and there is a real lack of chemistry between the two. There are times when you wonder if its all a bit patronising and inconsequential…but if you’re looking for something that isn’t taxing, a romcom with a bit more to say for itself, then this might just be it.