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Amanda Donohue stars as a wonderful teacher with a dark side - she kills people. Pretty unoriginal concept, but I enjoyed it. Amanda Donohue was flawless in her portrayal of both a high school teacher and a psycho loon. She reminded me of my teachers so much I shivered. This film also marks Mark Wahlberg's acting debut and you can tell. Marky Mark was terrible in his portrayal of a "rebellious" teen and potential victim. I was cheering for his death and thank god he's taken some acting lessons since then. Dalton James was alright, but Natasha Gregson Wagner, who looks she's balding, was quite boring.

More suspense was needed as was some development of the supporting characters (Wagner, Wahlberg, etc...). Aside from a few lost plots, bad performances and scenes of standard thriller fare, check it out. For once we actually feel for and understand the protagonist. She might kill people for personal gain, but who doesn't?

6.5/10

"Gayle Richards" (Amanda Donohoe) is a successful high school teacher who comes home from work to celebrate her 10th wedding anniversary with her husband. As she is preparing herself for the occasion she notices a picture of one of her female students in his jacket pocket. So, she tells her husband she has to go away for a few days to see her mother. That evening she catches him in bed with that same student. Feeling betrayed and ridiculed she ends up killing both of them and sets the entire house on fire. After that she leaves New York and drops out of sight for a year and then turns up in a small town in Minnesota under the name of "Laura Ellington". Unfortunately, she is still unable to come to terms with her past and not long afterward sleeps with one of her students named "Josh Wyatt" (Dalton James). Besides being inappropriate it also causes problems for both of them when she starts dating Josh's father, "Ben Wyatt" (Eugene Glazer). At any rate, because this film was a "made-for-television" production it goes without saying that some scenes were toned down to accommodate a general television audience. This caused the film to seem less intense than it could have been. Even so, it was still entertaining to a certain degree and probably merits an average score, all things considered.

What can i tell about this movie is that it is one of that movies which could have been great but instead it remained mediocre eventually.The theme is great could have been a great scary movie but it doesn't have gore in it and boys will be disappointed because Amanda Donohoe doesn't show some flesh.The positive sides of this movie are the performance of Mark Wahlberg billed here as Marky Mark and Amanda Donohue.Unfortunately for Marky Mark fans,he didn't sing in this movie.He appeared almost until the middle of the movie, so until here the movie was pretty interesting but after Marky Mark disappears the movie appears to be pretty boring.So Amanda Donohue and Marky Mark bring some attitude and talent to this movie but it is not enough for a movie to be good.THE SUBSTITUTE has a mediocre story,it isn't suspenseful enough and the rest of the cast didn't make a good job and yeah Amanda Donohue is like Bette Davis in this film.if will appear a DVD with an unrated version of this movie where we can see the 2 sex scenes extended and gore scenes also then maybe i will buy the DVD and i would enjoy it.

A viewer praised the score by Gerald Gouriet (never heard of him, I guess he is a Canadian). Question is: If the music was supposed to be a homage to Bernard Herrmann (the composer of Hitchcock's Vertigo, Psycho, North by Northwest, Marnie) then Mr Gouriet did a great job. Otherwise, it is just too much musically a copycat. Perhaps director Donovan prescribed the similarity on purpose, as many visual passages in this film have been resolved in the non-realistic -almost oneiric- way Hitchcok staged some scenes in his films. A case in point: when Josh is reading the newspaper microfilms at the library, titles (in red) are superimposed over the pages of the newspaper. When Josh is dreaming, color turns red. When the camera shoots down on the smiling and hopeful faces of students is another moment where viewers realize a professional director is holding the reins. All in all, as a TV movie is clearly above average. Watchable, well acted by everybody.

A surprising, classy, if not perfect, melodrama /thriller/comedy of horrors. Amanda Donohoe is exceptional in a character tailor made for Bette Davis. Those smiles with a creepy underneath. She goes for it in a performance that it's as complex as it is fun to watch. This movie by the enigmatic Martin Donovan is a mix of extraordinary moments - cinematic, surprising, beautiful, frightening and funny as well a downright bad, amateurish moments - I'm trying to find everything Donovan has done. Not an easy thing, believe me. But for what I've seen so far, he is a welcome lyrical oddity. "The Substitute" uneven as it is, remains in my mind as if inviting me to see it again. I will, for sure. Mark Wahlberg makes his film debut here looking straight into the camera. I bet Donovan knew what he was doing. I highly recommend it for lovers of the strange and unique.

When i first saw this movie was a few years ago because i had it on VHS.Back then i thought that the movie deserved 5/10 (Average) but i bought the DVD with good image and sound it made to give this movie a 7. The music score is excellent and the movie (instead of having some minor flaws) is very entertaining.In this film Mark Wahlberg made his debut and you can tell but he is acceptable because of his charisma&attitude.Amanda Donohoe has done the biggest role in her career in this movie.But this just my opinion.Watching this movie you'll not be disappointed because Amanda Donohoe is Bete Davis of our times.

Martin Donovan directs this film with an inspired cast. Mr. Donovan has done much better work in his native Argentina. "The Substitute" seems to be a movie of the week feature that we had never seen. It was shown on a cable channel the other night and while the film doesn't even attempt to break new ground on the horror genre, it will not bore the viewer. Thankfully, it's only 87 minutes long!

The best excuse for watching the movie is Amanda Donohue, an actress that has done some interesting work. Her take on the evil teacher is right on target. Ms. Donohue plays the dual role of Gayle/Laura with great style, something she has always brought to other roles. This woman is a step ahead of everyone. She is evil personified. She registers a lot of emotion without appearing ghoulish.

The young supporting cast is good. Dalton James plays Josh, a young man that gets a taste of what Laura is capable of doing. Mark Wahlberg, billed as Marky Mark, doesn't much to do. He was still trying to find his way around the movie business. Natasha Gregson Wagner plays a bland Jenny, Josh's girlfriend. Finally, Eugene Robert Glazer is seen as Josh's father and the object of Laura's sudden interest.

See the film with an open mind.

I was curious about "The Substitute" because it was Mark Whalberg's debut as an actor but I couldn't have imagined the pleasures that this off beat melodrama had to offer. Elegantly told with unexpected holes in the narration here and there but with a thrilling central performance by Amanda Donohoe that left me kind of breathless. There is also a visual intention that is both surprising and deeply engrossing. Amanda Donohe looking at herself in the mirror at different times of her shattering journey gives you clues as to were her mind is. What does she actually see when she looks into the mirror? She was always a positive human being that was pushed into an infernal situation and instead of getting herself out she gets in deeper and deeper. I felt sympathy for her and at the same time she terrified me. The superb Hitchcockian score is another major plus.

It has been awhile since audiences have seen Amanda Donohoe. (Remember L.A. Law?).

She is actually quite good as a teacher with less than good intentions; she looks mysterious and menacing. It is surprising also that Mark Wahlberg (previously known as "Marky Mark") is in this film I recently saw him in "The Shooter" and he has come a long way.

For a TV suspense film this is not bad. Dalton James ("90210") also has a part as Ben's son, who realizes Donohoe is capable of murder. There are a few scenes reminiscent of Psycho, when he is in the library collecting information about the teacher and her murderous history. Natasha Gregson Wagner also has a small part as a student and Molly Parker ("Intensity").

All in all, not a bad film for a rainy day.

Amanda Donohoe's performance is the highlight of this TV film.

Gale had it all. Students who loved her and an adoring husband. Apparently, he found another love and when he was caught in the act, he is killed along with his lover.

Gale runs off to Minnesota and begins a new teaching career. With Mrs. Fisher, the regular teacher, out on sick leave and probably taking early retirement, Laura Ellington, her new name, gets a long-term position and works with extremely difficult youngsters.

She now looks like a witch and is quite a character. When Mrs. Fisher announces her surprise return, Laura does away with her so as to get the teaching position permanently.

The film, as is the case with many others of this type, begins to deteriorate as the bodies pile up. Laura goes to bed with one of the students and then takes up with his widowed father. Mark Wahlberg plays a troubled student. When he follows Ms. Ellington to Mrs. Fisher's house, she kills him.

I'll stop here because the ending is contrived ...but wild. Our school systems stink but a teacher like this, wow!

As awkward as this film is, there are moments that can only be described as, sublime. The moments are pinpointed by faces. If you read the film through the faces of its characters you'll have a memorable experience. The pain and anger in Amanda Donohue's face is as entertaining and shattering as anything Bette Davis has ever done. Mark Whalberg ambles down into the film scene with a bang, looking straight into the camera, inviting us to "get busy". The faces of the students, Molly Parker and Martin Cummins among them, tell us, in beautiful close ups, how much their murderous teacher has done for them. Then the teacher tells them how much they mean to her, we see the kids faces from above as her point of view. It is just wonderful. Last but not least is the amazing score by Gerald Gouriet (Madame Souzatska, Seeds of Tragedy) All in all I had the feeling that a genial mind was at work here, but chained to some kind of wall of mediocrity. As rarities go, this is the "rariest". Worth the trip.

Wow! I had a lot of fun, I was taken and manipulated in the most delicious way. Amanda Donohoe creates a very human monster. She is spec-ta-cu-lar! That pain that you perceive in every one of her smiles is like an emotional ticking bomb that sooner or later is going to explode. I had to be reminded this movie was made for cable TV about two decades ago and that may explain its inconsistencies. Martin Donovan, the director, has an eye and an elegance so beautifully present in his Apartment Zero. There is a clear ambition, visual and dramatic in this surprising movie - look at that triangular moment at the school party. Father, son and teacher. Or the computer search with images and words taking over the screen. Also, the performances are totally cinematic. It bears repeating that Amanda Donohoe's performance deserves some kind of trophy. Dalton James, Natasha Gregson Wagner, Molly Parker and even Mark Wahlberg making his film debut have moments of beauty and power. All the characters even the smallest have a chance to shine. I've been trying to buy it in Amazon or Netflix - they never heard of it! I can't find it anywhere but I'm determined to see it again.

The film, made for Cable, is far from perfect but the truth is I was engrossed. Riveted actually. Amanda Donohoe gives a fantastic performance as someone trying to hide from her own past and failing in the most devastating way. Her torture is written all over her fabulous face. Great part of the film is just mesmerizing. Young faces full of something lyrical and magic. Including the future Oscar nominee, Mark Whalberg. There is an undeniable Hitchcockian touch, even the score has a Bernard Herrman sound. I saw it a week ago and here I am, still thinking about it. Not available on DVD. I would love to hear the behind the scenes. I'm sure there is story there.

I must admit, I am usually a bit dubious when looking at TV movies, as in most cases they are quite poor, but in this case I was pleasantly surprised. This was mainly due to the superb performance of Amanda Donaghue, who made a convincing & sympathetic psychotic killer (why is it every feature film has to have a British nasty? I know they are always good, but come on), which makes a change from the usual one diminsional characters. The rest of the cast played the part too, & were quite good, making you at least believe in them, though there was the usual nonsense of ancient pupils, who were in alot of cases not much younger than Amanda Donaghue. Ignoring this hilarity, the plot though not exactly thought provoking was at least adequate, & was everything else. So although the film had nothing that hadn't been seen before, it is not bad, & worth a look if only for Miss Donaghue. Now, why didn't I have a horny teacher like her when I was at school.