Warning: Spoilers
An interesting attention grabbling/holding film that I thought did a great job of illustrating of how some people out there are sexual predators who target young and vulnerable targets to give them sex (and as a result seriously unfit to hold teaching positions). I thought Gary Cole and Nicholle Tom were both very good in their roles, and the same for the rest of the cast.
I 100% agree with the movie message, that this wasn't about a school teacher having an affair with a student but an abuse of power. What would any reasonably healthy minded 40 plus male teacher see he's likely to have in common with a 14 year old? Why repeatedly put personal compliment notes into a homework folder or ask a student to see them in private only to unexpectedly kiss them if not deliberately up to no good early on? It's also made obvious this teacher isn't sincere on respecting Amy's feelings on sex and repeatedly guilt trips her over things which aren't her fault to manipulate her into doing what he wants (I kept thinking what a totally selfish tosser this character was! Especially considering how much he lies to his family too). Also, if this was just about feelings for Amy why do as he did with two other girls before?
Another thing I appreciated about this film was hearing The Mavericks song "Oh What a Thrill." I hadn't heard that track before and instantly liked it.
I just had a few small issues with the movie as follows:
1.) Firstly, I don't think a serious enough atmosphere was given to the scene when Pete Nash was told he was being suspended/that the police were coming for him for it to be the most convincing.
2.) I think if Amy could have been shown having at least a bit more of a conversation with Missy Ross on what had happened the film would have been even better. That's because I thought Missy was also an important character in relation to the story (same for the other girl this teacher targeted who we never get to see at all, I think it would have also been good if her appearance could have also been included).
3.) I also didn't find the court scene, when Pete Nash pleaded guilty, at the point his wife approached and hugged him too convincing either. Not in the absence of a scene that explained why she did this anyhow. It struck me as far more likely she'd want no more to do with him!
4.) I think it could have been better explained as to why the prison sentence given to coach Nash was as light as it was all things considered!
Overall, well worth the watch though!
An interesting attention grabbling/holding film that I thought did a great job of illustrating of how some people out there are sexual predators who target young and vulnerable targets to give them sex (and as a result seriously unfit to hold teaching positions). I thought Gary Cole and Nicholle Tom were both very good in their roles, and the same for the rest of the cast.
I 100% agree with the movie message, that this wasn't about a school teacher having an affair with a student but an abuse of power. What would any reasonably healthy minded 40 plus male teacher see he's likely to have in common with a 14 year old? Why repeatedly put personal compliment notes into a homework folder or ask a student to see them in private only to unexpectedly kiss them if not deliberately up to no good early on? It's also made obvious this teacher isn't sincere on respecting Amy's feelings on sex and repeatedly guilt trips her over things which aren't her fault to manipulate her into doing what he wants (I kept thinking what a totally selfish tosser this character was! Especially considering how much he lies to his family too). Also, if this was just about feelings for Amy why do as he did with two other girls before?
Another thing I appreciated about this film was hearing The Mavericks song "Oh What a Thrill." I hadn't heard that track before and instantly liked it.
I just had a few small issues with the movie as follows:
1.) Firstly, I don't think a serious enough atmosphere was given to the scene when Pete Nash was told he was being suspended/that the police were coming for him for it to be the most convincing.
2.) I think if Amy could have been shown having at least a bit more of a conversation with Missy Ross on what had happened the film would have been even better. That's because I thought Missy was also an important character in relation to the story (same for the other girl this teacher targeted who we never get to see at all, I think it would have also been good if her appearance could have also been included).
3.) I also didn't find the court scene, when Pete Nash pleaded guilty, at the point his wife approached and hugged him too convincing either. Not in the absence of a scene that explained why she did this anyhow. It struck me as far more likely she'd want no more to do with him!
4.) I think it could have been better explained as to why the prison sentence given to coach Nash was as light as it was all things considered!
Overall, well worth the watch though!