That's What I Am (2011)

A coming-of-age story set in 1965 that follows 12-year-old Andy Nichol (Chase Ellison), a bright student who, like most kids his age, will do anything to avoid conflict for fear of ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Pavone

Writer:

Michael Pavone

Stars:

Ed Harris, Chase Ellison, Molly Parker

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ed Harris	...	Mr. Simon
Chase Ellison	...	Andy Nichol
Molly Parker	...	Sherri Nichol
Daniel Roebuck	...	Jim Nichol
Randy Orton	...	Ed Freel
Daniel Yelsky	...	Norman Grunmeyer
Alexander Walters	...	Big G
Mia Rose Frampton	...	Mary Clear
Amy Madigan	...	Principal Kelner
Camille E. Bourgeois III	...	Jason Freel (as Camille Bourgeois)
Renwick D. Scott II	...	Dan Rainier
Jordan Reynolds	...	Ricky Brown
Vanessa Cloke	...	Irene Freel
Sarah Celano	...	Karen 'Cootie' Connor
Dalton Mitchell	...	Sam Nolan (as Dalton Zachary Mitchell)

Storyline

A coming-of-age story set in 1965 that follows 12-year-old Andy Nichol (Chase Ellison), a bright student who, like most kids his age, will do anything to avoid conflict for fear of suffering overwhelming ridicule and punishment from his junior high school peers. Everyone's favorite teacher, Mr. Simon (Ed Harris), pairs Andy with the school's biggest outcast and social pariah, Stanley, aka "Big G" (Alexander Walters), on a critical term project. Sporting thick orange hair, a head too big for his body and ears too big for his head, "Big G" has been the object of ridicule since grade school. Before long, Andy will learn that there was truly a method behind Mr. Simon's madness as to why he teamed these two up. As the story unfolds, Mr. Simon finds himself the target of a malicious rumor after Principal Kelner (Amy Madigan) suspends a school bully for brutally beating up a female classmate whom he thinks has "cooties." When Andy watches "Big G" fearlessly confront the school bully, a ...

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Plot Keywords:

school | bully | teacher | principal | junior high school | 

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Taglines:

I'm a Teacher. I'm a Singer. I'm a Writer.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic material throughout, language and some bullying

Details

Official Sites:

World Wrestling Entertainment [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 April 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Big Ginger

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Randy Orton's film debut.

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Goofs

The drum kit cymbals used during the talent show had Sabian cymbals. The company was founded in 1981 and never existed back in 1960's.

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Quotes

Mr. Simon: I find your writing... fascinating. You're a keen observer with a colorful perspective. In fact, underneath the poor grammar and the atrocious spelling, I believe there lies the heart and soul of a great writer.

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Crazy Credits

During the credits photos from the Eagles yearbook are accompanied by a brief description of the future of the main characters.

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Connections

Features Leave It to Beaver (1957)

User Reviews

Recommended Uplifting Fare

what a refreshing film! though of course somewhat derivative (what schoolteacher drama is not these days!?) That's What I Am still manages to surprise and even delight in moments. I wandered into the Quad cinema looking for whatever was playing on a Sun afternoon, so expectations were very low, and I had not heard of this film--upon seeing the poster almost decided to read a book instead. but I went in, and very glad that I did. Ed harris is fantastic as the teacher we all wished we had. But the conflict of the story does not end in some far fetched deus ex machina, and yet...it paints a redeeming picture of humanity despite an equally visible and counter-vailing reality of distrust and salem witch hunting. I would recommend this for all ages (middle school and up) and think you will find it to be a very rewarding way to spend a couple of hours. I hope this film goes forward so more can see it.