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Bad Teacher (Kasdan, 2011) is the latest in a line of 'Bad...' films. Bad Santa, Bad Boys 1 and 2, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly - It is in some pretty good, varied company. But does it stand up to them? Is Bad Teacher a story of resentment and lust, ending in redemption and love, with likeable characters, a solid story and a fitting message?

Unfortunately not.

Cameron Diaz is Elizabeth Halsey. A teacher who, funnily enough, is not very good at her job. She is also a pretty horrible human being - superficial, self indulgent, drug using, gold digging and not a good bone in her body - Louanne Johnson from Dangerous Minds she most certainly is not. After her fiance realises that his money is being taken for granted a tad later than most people with a decent IQ, she is forced back into her work as a teacher at a Junior High School.What follows is a year of bickering, competition, sexual advances and aspirations of breast implants.

Some good ingredients there for consistent comedy you would think? Well, kind of. The limitations on the characters certainly does not help matters. Because Halsey is so horrible, there is rarely room for compassion or signs of vulnerability. There appears to have been a brick wall built around her that no one can break down. Even the later scenes with Jason Segel as the laid back gym teacher seem added on at the last minute to at least show a glimpse of positive emotion.

Sometimes it feels that the rest of the film is just there to pad out the funnier scenes. The first conversation in the restaurant between Halsey and the wonderful Lynn Davies (Phyllis Smith) is one particular highlight, as is the band night scene - particularly the dialogue between Diaz, Smith and Segel. Two other characters in this scene highlight however both the positives and negatives of the film.

Scott Delacorte (Justin Timberlake) is a confusing character and because of this is not likeable. Are we supposed to fall for his charm and kindness? Are we meant to accept his failings? He is a rich substitute teacher who instantly draws the attention of Halsey, yet she discovers that he apparently only likes large breasted women. Is this the sign of a nice, sensitive approachable guy? We all have our preferences but his whole character is all over the place. One minute he is kind, singing over emotional songs. The next he is cheating on his girlfriend (in the most cringe worthy 'sex' scene ever put to screen) and admitting his lack of trustworthiness. He actually comes across as quite pathetic, and is more annoying than the lack of any interesting school children. Very disappointing, especially after Timberlake's performance in The Social Network. I did not see the need for this character as Segel's gym teacher, Russell Gettis could have fitted the role. He is much more likeable. He is honest about himself, is warm and is genuinely funny.

But from one disappointing character to arguably the highlight of the film. Lucy Punchs' Amy Squirrel is the best teacher in the school, winning the bonus every year. Her overtly happy and kind approach is the perfect yin to Halsey's yang. Of course as the film progresses we learn there are more layers to her, and this can only be a good thing. Three dimensional characters are rare in this film so to see one of the main protagonists (or is that antagonists?) have more to them is a sigh of relief when she is on screen. She even manages to get a reaction from the seemingly heavily sedated schoolchildren. Her sheer determination to outdo and show Halsey for what she really is, is entertaining and comical. Again, if she had more of a relationship with Gettis as opposed to Delacorte, we have had a much more entertaining film.

This leads me quite nicely to the plot. It is OK. Nothing groundbreaking or Earth shattering but it helps the film along nicely enough. Upon hearing about Delacorte's female preferences she decides to save and steal the money necessary for breast implants. This leads to a visually pleasing car wash scene that puts Jessica Simpson to shame and also helps her bag a few dollars. She also discovers the end of year bonus which leads to a change in attitude where we learn she can actually teach. I would not trust her with a wig, bottle of white wine or a camera though.

The ending of the film is possibly the most disappointing aspect of it. It just feels tagged on at the last minute, hoping to give us the happy ending that we apparently crave and tries to suddenly make us feel for this selfish, obnoxious and guilt free Miss Halsey. The thing is throughout the final few minutes she is still all of these things. And that is what makes it feel rushed. There was no time in the second act to start developing any frailties she may have. Cameron Diaz was the right actress for this role and to see her as a antagonist is a rare delight. She should definitely attempt it more. I just feel that the character she was given to work with was nowhere near deep enough and complex for her to really make her own. With Billy Bob Thornton's Bad Santa you felt sympathy for the hole his character was getting into. He had layers that could be peeled away. Diazs' Bad Teacher did not.

For what it is, and what it could have been, Bad Teacher unfortunately falls short. Entertaining to an extent, but maybe best to wait for the DVD rental release - 6.47/10

Next time I will be reviewing the recently released American comedy 'Bridesmaids'.

I hope you have enjoyed. Until the next time.

William Evans

http://will-writersblog.blogspot.com/

@willsfilmgig

@lifearcademag