A teacher reconnects with an old student who is now an attorney representing a family who is suing the school for graduating their son who still cannot read or write. Amid the daily chaos of teaching in an inner city school, Alex Jurel tries to decide if he will lie at his deposition to protect the school or tell the truth and risk throwing away his career.
Acting
Nolte's hungover integrity is career-best slouching.
Writing
Screenplay by a former teacher who actually lived this.
Direction
Hiller lets chaos breathe without romanticizing it.
Director
Arthur Hiller
Nick Nolte
Alex Jurel
JoBeth Williams
Lisa Hammond
Judd Hirsch
Roger Rubell
Ralph Macchio
Eddie Pilikian
Allen Garfield
Carl Rosenberg
Lee Grant
Dr. Donna Burke
Richard Mulligan
Herbert Gower
Royal Dano
Ditto Stiles
William Schallert
Horn
Art Metrano
Troy
Laura Dern
Diane
Crispin Glover
Danny
Morgan Freeman
Lewis
Madeleine Sherwood
Grace
Steven Hill
Sloane
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Screenwriter W.R. McKinney based the script on his own teaching experience in Columbus, Ohio—the film's setting.
US
