Cheaters (2000)

Eleven students conspire with their teacher to cheat on an academic competition.

Director:

John Stockwell

Writer:

John Stockwell

Stars:

Jeff Daniels, Jena Malone, Paul Sorvino

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 3 nominations.

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

Storyline

In the fall of 1994, a teacher at Chicago's run-down Steinmetz High recruits seven students for an academic decathlon team. They work long hours, preparing for the February regional event, won for ten straight years by a privileged, preppy school. Steinmetz finishes just well enough to be invited to the state meet. When a team member steals a copy of the state test, the teacher and kids face a dilemma: to remain honest, or to cheat and score a victory for kids in underfunded schools. When they do well, they must face a withering barrage of investigations, accusations, lawyers' lies, and reporters' intrusions. Is it all worth it? What lessons does cheating teach?

---

Plot Keywords:

teacher | competition | cheating | motivation | high school | 

---

Taglines:

Putting The System To The Test

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director John Stockwell and the film's producers hired a private investigator to track down the real Dr. Gerald Plecki. It took nearly half a year to convince Plecki to sell his rights and become involved in the production.

---

Goofs

At one point, 'Jeff Daniels' accidentally refers to 'Agnieska Maryniarczyk' as 'Anna,' the real name of the actress playing the character. Anna Raj.

---

Quotes

Darius Bettus: Well, if we could get the tests, I'm sure Whitney Young has them too.
Jolie Fitch: Of course they do. Doesn't the decathlon have their offices at Whitney Young? I mean, you do the math.
Dominik Wesolowski: So, two wrongs would make a right?
Darius Bettus: No. Two wrongs make it even.

---

Connections

Features Stand and Deliver (1988)

---

Soundtracks

Look Who's Perfect Now
Written by Gary Clark, Eric Pressly, Keely Hawkes
Performed by Transister
Courtesy of Interscope Records
Under License From Universal Music Special Markets/Virgin Records Ltd.

User Reviews

Is winning everything?

This movie presents a real moral dilemna... should students who have always been thought of as losers take the chance and cheat. The teacher has the toughest decision to make- whether to let his students cheat and what to do if they get caught. Jeff Daniels plays the part well- showing how he is torn- wanting his students to get recognition and wanting to teach them right from wrong. This movie is a very good look at the moral questions we all face in life.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 May 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

La grande triche

Filming Locations:

Central Tech. High School, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nitelite Entertainment, De Passe Entertainment, Home Box Office (HBO)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1