But is it any good?
Newsflash: bullying is wrong, and the 1960s were a time of rosy-tinted wonder.
If either of these seem revelatory, thenThats What I Ammay be for you.
If not, dont bother.
Instead, its a dumb, blithely simple drama that is all moral and no content.
And there endeth the lesson.
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What is funny, though, is when the film tries to be serious.
that Elia Kazan would deem excessive.
I should have seen it coming, really, but I was lured in.
Because Ed Harris is in it.
Hes Andys favourite teacher and, it seems, everyone elses, even the education boards.
His detractors are unsubtly and lazily cast off as imbeciles, their accusations motivated by hatred, not sense.
For Simons core virtue is dignity, which Pavone celebrates.
The teacher remains perfect, his character is left unexplored, and his outward persona isnt even discreetly dissected.
But dont worry, this was in the 1960s.
In fact, we have insultingly obvious films that teach us how to live.
Although, perhaps the films initial message of tolerance is useful in one way.
After all, thats what it is.
Rating:
1 out of 5
