The Substitute (1993) (TV)

User Rating:

5.0/10   

Director:

Martin Donovan

Writer (WGA):

Cynthia Verlaine (written by)

Release Date:

22 September 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller | Drama

Tagline:

She loves her students... to death.

Plot:

A high school substitute English teacher resorts to murder to protect her murderous dark past while seducing a student whom begins to suspect her true identity.

Plot Keywords:

High School | Substitute | Murder | Sex | Widower

Cast

Amanda Donohoe	...	Gayle Richards / Laura Ellington
Dalton James	...	Josh Wyatt
Natasha Gregson Wagner	...	Jenny
Eugene Robert Glazer	...	Ben Wyatt (as Eugene Glazer)
Patricia Gage	...	Principal Beatty
Shelley-Lynn Owens	...	Amy Cooper (as Shelley Owens)
Mark Wahlberg	...	Ryan Westerberg (as Marky Mark)
Brigitta	...	Margo
David Frankham	...	Riggs
Christian Svensson	...	Dave Korczuk
Cusse Mankuma	...	Bernard
Molly Parker	...	Courtney
Lossen Chambers	...	Kim
D. Neil Mark	...	Rusty
Martin Martinuzzi	...	Doug Richards

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Germany:16 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Tedious, but not that bad!

Amanda Donohue stars as a wonderful teacher with a dark side - she kills people. Pretty unoriginal concept, but I enjoyed it. Amanda Donohue was flawless in her portrayal of both a high school teacher and a psycho loon. She reminded me of my teachers so much I shivered. This film also marks Mark Wahlberg's acting debut and you can tell. Marky Mark was terrible in his portrayal of a "rebellious" teen and potential victim. I was cheering for his death and thank god he's taken some acting lessons since then. Dalton James was alright, but Natasha Gregson Wagner, who looks she's balding, was quite boring.

More suspense was needed as was some development of the supporting characters (Wagner, Wahlberg, etc...). Aside from a few lost plots, bad performances and scenes of standard thriller fare, check it out. For once we actually feel for and understand the protagonist. She might kill people for personal gain, but who doesn't?

6.5/10