IMDb > Cheaters (2000) (TV)

Cheaters (2000) (TV) More at IMDbPro »

Videos
Cheaters (2000) -- HV post

Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   2,308 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 39% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
John Stockwell
Writer (WGA):
John Stockwell (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Cheaters on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
20 May 2000 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Tagline:
Putting The System To The Test
Plot:
Eleven students conspire with their teacher to cheat on an academic competition. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 3 nominations more
User Comments:
Great film highlighted by great performances. more (60 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Jeff Daniels ... Dr. Gerard Plecki

Jena Malone ... Jolie Fitch

Paul Sorvino ... Constantine Kiamos

Luke Edwards ... Darius Bettus
Blake Heron ... Matt Kur
Dov Tiefenbach ... Irwin Flickas
Dan Warry-Smith ... Paul Kurgan
Anna Raj ... Agnieska Maryniarczyk
Dominik Podbielski ... Dominik Wesolowski
Ned Eisenberg ... Robert Clifford

Robert Joy ... Larry Minkoff
Lenka Peterson ... Mrs. Plecki

Alex Poch-Goldin ... Jerry Marconi (as Alex Poch Goldin)
Karen Glave ... Corrine Davis

Marcia Bennett ... Joan Isenberg
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for language.
Runtime:
108 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Certification:
Iceland:L | USA:R | Germany:12

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The real-life Dr. Gerald Plecki was paid a consulting fee during the film's production. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Dr. Plecki and the students are watching "Stand and Deliver" at his house, the scenes from that movie are shown out of order in "Cheaters". more
Quotes:
Dr. Gerald Plecki: Do you think Bill Gates fired the guys who brought him the Apple Operating system code? He probably promoted them. more
Movie Connections:
References Rocky (1976) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful.
Great film highlighted by great performances., 20 May 2000
8/10
Author: Brian A. Cagayat (dresden212@hotmail.com) from San Diego, CA, USA

I saw this film when it debuted on HBO earlier tonight. I was pretty impressed by the story (by director John Stockwell), about a group of inner city Chicago youths who decide to cheat on their Academic Decathlon exams. The element that drives the story, however, is its performances, especially Jena Malone as Steinmetz student Jolie Fitch and Jeff Daniels as Decathlon advisor Dr. Gerard Plecki.

These youths decide to cheat solely for ambition, to beat the rival Whitney Young Decathlon Team (who wins every year) at the State finals. Basically, they're desperate, being an inner city school whose funding is based mostly on athletics. Daniels goes along with the plan because of this: to make a statement on how much focus is more on athletics and less on academics.

The only reason I decided to watch this film was for Jena Malone, who's one of the more talented young actresses cropping up out of obscurity. She's only fifteen, yet she's a better actress than women twice her age. She's even being compared to a young Jodie Foster. Hopefully, she'll continue to accept performances that aren't from your latest American teen comedies.

I did manage, however, to find a good story out of this, somewhat reminiscent of "Stand and Deliver," which the students actually watch in one scene. Whether or not we agree on Dr. Plecki allowing the students to cheat, we'll always agree that it's the teacher's responsibility to teach, and teach morally. Make up your mind about cheating; this story focuses on cheating and its consequences, and will probably be one of those great films not too many people will see.

Had it been released to theaters, it would've done modestly in the theaters and been critically acclaimed, then fade away after a couple of weeks. But it's good enough to win a few hearts and minds. Watch it for Jena Malone, though. I did, and I wouldn't be surprised if she was nominated for an Emmy here.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (60 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Cheaters (2000) (TV)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Irwin going to Dr. Plecki first? filmaddict24
It is amazing to me.... gogobearbm
Dr. Plecki not involved filmaddict24
The lie by School Board cadik
THOSE CHEATERS WERE RIGHT, in some ways. filmaddict24
Hatred for Whitney Young was misplaced kidfrumcleveland
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
October Sky Lean on Me Hoosiers River's Edge The Basketball Diaries
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.