3 stars (out of 5)
Director: Jake Kasdan
Cast: Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Justin Timberlake, Lucy Punch, Phyllis Smith, John Michael Higgins, Matthew J. Evans, Eric Stonestreet, Thomas Lennon
Rating: (R16)
One swallow may not make a summer but two movies definitely make a trend, so I feel quite free to link Bad Teacher (Rialto and Hoyts) with last week's Bridesmaids. Finally women are free to reveal their inner dirt-bags, or something. Yep, we've come a long way, baby.
Well not quite. Bridesmaids was written by women and showed women driving themselves crazy. Bad Teacher is written by men and shows foxy Elizabeth Halsey (Cameron Diaz), a scheming underhand gold-digger who just happens to be a teacher.
When Elizabeth's engagement falls apart she has to return to teaching with very bad grace. All she can focus on is raising money for a boob job and ensnaring new teacher Scott (Justin Timberlake), who comes from a wealthy family.
Elizabeth's unethical behaviour goes into overdrive when she learns of the huge cash bonus that goes to the teacher with the year's best results.
In oh so many ways this is a terrible movie, the only reason for which is to have Diaz strut her awesome pins, but Diaz was a cunning choice of leading lady because she is so darn likeable. Bad Teacher is enjoyable but it is no Bad Santa.
Best thing: Lucy Punch as the slightly unhinged good teacher Amy Squirrel, Elizabeth's would-be nemesis.
Worst thing: Elizabeth does get up to some seriously messed-up bad behaviour but even with an R16 movie they have to go all soft-centred on us and give her a redemptive ending, which never feels true to the character.
See it with: A posse of educators. They will not approve but they just might laugh.
- Christine Powley
