In a Class of His Own (TV 1999)

Rich Donato is the high school janitor at an Oregon high school. He is looked up to by the kids who often seek his advice. There is only one problem. He doesn't have a high school diploma. ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Munic

Writer:

Robert Munic

Stars:

Lou Diamond Phillips, Lee Jay Bamberry, Lenno Britos

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Lou Diamond Phillips	...	Ricardo 'Rich' Donato
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lee Jay Bamberry	...	Freddy
Lenno Britos	...	Mr. Guiterrez
A.J. Buckley	...	Jake Matteson
Cara Buono	...	Sherry Donato
Joan Chen	...	Linda Ching
Nathaniel DeVeaux	...	Vincent Lexington
Rich Donato	...	Parent in Auditorium
Frances Flanagan	...	Mrs. Matteson
James Hutson	...	Security Guard
David Kaye	...	Lance
Karin Konoval	...	Mrs. Escobar
Tyler Labine	...	Charles 'Charlie' Zaken
Tom McBeath	...	Skip Jordan
Kandyse McClure	...	Brandy (as Candice McClure)

Storyline

Rich Donato is the high school janitor at an Oregon high school. He is looked up to by the kids who often seek his advice. There is only one problem. He doesn't have a high school diploma. The school board tells him that he must get his GED in 30 days or he will lose his job. He tries taking the test on his own, but fails. His wife rallies the community to help Rich pass the test. Now that Rich has help from teachers and students, there is nothing he can't do.

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Plot Keywords:

based on true story

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 October 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Prince of Mirrors: The Rich Donato Story

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hallmark

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

charming? i'm not sure...

In general, this isn't a very good movie. For what it's supposed to be tho, it's decent. Philips is a good actor, no doubt, and he's really charming as the janitor trying to pass the test to get his ged (so he can keep his job.) The woman who plays his wife, on the other hand, is one of the worst actresses I have seen in ANY movie. The script has a nice message- to judge people by what is in their hearts, to look past certain weaknesses in people, etc...mushy stuff like that. The problem tho- the script, while somewhat endearing, is quite lame. When you hear the wife tell philips she doesn't have her violin in her robe (don't whine, get it? ha ha ha)...you almost want to puke. I mean, come on! This movie was made for families obviously, but some of the script is just too lame...other than those few sections, it's entertaining, and as I said, it carries a nice message. Philips does a lot to move the movie forward, along with a young man who looks up to him, and is in the same boat almost (he is stuck in remedial classes.) Nice story, some halfway decent writing- overall- workable, entertaining, a good film.