La très très grande classe

I saw this tonight in a theater here in France, and I have to say that it was really enjoyable. It's the story of a single teacher who has to deal with hostile and lazy students. Strange things happen in her life - not obvious clichés - and I really got involved in it.

It defies all sorts of terrible clichés: the young woman who is the lead is overweight and not traditionally beautiful. Yet she ends up with a good-looking guy. There are minority students in her worst class, but they are more than just clichés.

The only absolutely negative characters are the students and teachers at a wealthy Catholic school. The movie is very French, in the sense that there is nothing good to be said about the rich, especially if they claim allegiance to the Catholic church.

I strongly recommend this. It's not Les règles du jeu, but who cares? It's funny, moving, and just plain enjoyable.