Introduction

The state of education in the U.S., as seen by a substitute teacher at an unruly high school. Famous faces play staff struggling with difficult students and parents. Thoroughly realistic direction.

Synopsis

Director Tony Kaye (American History X, Lake of Fire) creates a unique and stylized portrait of the American education system through the eyes of substitute teacher Henry Barthes (Adrien Brody). Henry wanders in and out of students' lives, imparting knowledge where he can in the short time he has with them. When a new assignment places him at a failing public school, Henry's insular world is slowly exposed by the teachers, students and administrators he meets. Kaye has molded a contemporary vision of people who become increasingly distant from others while still feeling the need to connect.