School of Life (2005)

A new teacher squares off against his crusty competitor for a teacher of the year award.

Director:

William Dear

Writer:

Jonathan Kahn

Stars:

David Paymer, Ryan Reynolds, John Astin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Paymer	...	Matt Warner
Ryan Reynolds	...	Mr. D
John Astin	...	Norman Warner
Andrew Robb	...	Dylan Warner
Kate Vernon	...	Elli Warner
Don MacKay	...	Principal Bass
Brenda McDonald	...	Maggie Little
Paul Jarrett	...	Dan Parks
Leila Johnson	...	Denise Davies
Chris Gauthier	...	Vern Cote (as Christopher Gauthier)
Shylo Sharity	...	Chase
Gordie Giroux	...	Seth
Asia Lim	...	Kylie
Chelsea Florko	...	Heather
Alexander Pollock	...	Clyde

Storyline

History teacher "Stormin'" Norman Warner is held with great reverence at Fallbrook Middle School, he voted Teacher of the Year by its student body forty-three years in a row. His son, current Biology teacher Matt Warner, does not hold that same reverence by the students, who view him as a stick in the mud. After Norman's passing, Matt, who received a few words of wisdom from his father before he died and who has always felt in his father's shadow, nonetheless feels the burden of keeping the Warner winning streak of Teacher of the Year alive. His task is made all the more difficult of the hiring of Michael D'Angelo, a Fallbrook alumnus, as its new History teacher. Quickly given the catchy moniker "Mr. D" by all at the school, Michael captures the imagination not only of the students but of all the other teachers, that is except Matt, who uses all his energies to discredit Mr. D and his methods. All Matt's efforts fall flat on his face, which places his son, Dylan Warner, a grade 8 ...

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Plot Keywords:

teacher | award | teaching | student | school | 

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Taglines:

Life's greatest lessons are taught outside the classroom.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language, brief sensuality and rude humor

Details

Official Sites:

ABC Family

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 February 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

School of Life

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gynormous Pictures, School of Life Productions Inc., Bouncing Betty Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min (DVD) 111 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Viewers who recognize actor Ryan Reynolds will realize that, as Dylan is leaving after the grave-side service for his grandfather, he first meets Mr. D who is going to the grave to pay his own respects (at around 07 mins).

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Goofs

When the teachers are sitting in front of the students at the beginning of the school year Mr. D has on red shoes. Then the next time you see him in the classroom he has on brown shoes. You can see them when he is sitting in the chair in the center of the circle.

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Quotes

Michael D'Angelo: Have a good lunch. Eat a carrot.

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Connections

References The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

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Soundtracks

Trynna Finda Way
Written by Nelly Furtado (as Furtado), Eaton & Brian West (as West)
Performed by Nelly Furtado
Used by permission of Nestar Publishing Inc.
Courtesy of Dreamworks Records,
Under License fron Universal Musiac Canada

User Reviews

A very likable film that deserves much more recognition than it got

School of Life (stupidly renamed on Russian into The Teacher of The Year) is a very likable and enjoyable film. It's funny and heartfelt film but at the same time it's much more than typical high-school set movie, much more intelligent than everyone could expect. Despite the film couldn't avoid some clichés and at parts it become a bit predictable that's a case when we simply don't care about such possible minor flaws in the film and just enjoy it.

The center of the story is an ordinary school in a small town when its legendary teacher Stormin' Norman Warner, who won the teacher of the year forty three years in a row, dies and new teacher, an incredibly cool and attractive person Michael D'Angelo (excellent performance by Ryan Reynolds), comes to the school. But what's the most important he share and deliver his coolness with everybody and ordinary boring life in this school takes some changes. The only man who is not delighted with Michael's appearance is Matt Warner (another one very good performance by David Paymer), the son of the legendary teacher, whose dearest ambition is to keep on a family tradition of winning best teacher award. The way of characters behavior as well as their transformation is very believable to me. Ryan Reynolds and David Paymer are very good in the lead while all the kids actors are awesome. Also the film is well shot, has a remarkable soundtrack with very suitable songs and contains lots of very impressive scenes: some of them are really funny while the others are heartfelt and inspiring. It is just the film that such kind of film's supposed to be: very enjoyable film that at the same time manages to carry strong and intelligent messages in a very good way. As some people here before I can only add that I wish to had such a teachers during my school days (I know it's kinda stupid but that's all I can say). Very good film indeed.

9 out of 10