School of Life

Ryan Reynolds goes "PG" rated and the results are an OK family flick. This film is certainly no "Van Wilder". I believe the fans of his more outrageous movies will probably be disappointed. David Paymer carries the film as the at first combative, and later understanding rival teacher. "School of Life" is definitely a message movie, clearly defining what interests the students, and what does not. Of course Ryan Reynolds methods are a reality stretch, but the point is made. As a heartwarming tale this only marginally succeeds, because everything is telegraphed, such as the final basketball game. It is what it is, plain vanilla fluff. - MERK

"The School of Life" Starring Ryan Reynolds, David Paymer, Andrew Robb, Leila Johnson, and Shylo Sharity. A small-town history teacher with a different approach to teaching raises the suspicion of a stuffy biology teacher who's looking to win the "Teacher of the Year" award. Hip teacher Mr. D (Reynolds) doesn't just teach history, he lives it. His passion for the subject catches on with the students in his class, who think they're in for another boring year. Though the kids and the faculty all love Mr. D, biology teacher Matt Warner (Paymer) views the new teacher as another roadblock in his path to take the "Teacher of the Year" prize. The son of wildly popular educator Stormin' Norman, a man who had achieved the feat of winning the top teacher award for 43 years in a row -- Matt Warner is desperate to prove his worth as a teacher by following in his fathers footsteps. When Warner learns a secret about Mr. D that could bring the newly arrived teacher down and place Warner in just the right position to take the Teacher of the Year title, the entire town of Fallbrook learns an important lesson that can't be taught in a textbook. This movie has a good combination of funny dialog, great dramatic acting from the cast and moments that keep you guessing.

School of Life (stupidly renamed on Russian into The Teacher of The Year) is a very likable and enjoyable film. It's funny and heartfelt film but at the same time it's much more than typical high-school set movie, much more intelligent than everyone could expect. Despite the film couldn't avoid some clichés and at parts it become a bit predictable that's a case when we simply don't care about such possible minor flaws in the film and just enjoy it.

The center of the story is an ordinary school in a small town when its legendary teacher Stormin' Norman Warner, who won the teacher of the year forty three years in a row, dies and new teacher, an incredibly cool and attractive person Michael D'Angelo (excellent performance by Ryan Reynolds), comes to the school. But what's the most important he share and deliver his coolness with everybody and ordinary boring life in this school takes some changes. The only man who is not delighted with Michael's appearance is Matt Warner (another one very good performance by David Paymer), the son of the legendary teacher, whose dearest ambition is to keep on a family tradition of winning best teacher award. The way of characters behavior as well as their transformation is very believable to me. Ryan Reynolds and David Paymer are very good in the lead while all the kids actors are awesome. Also the film is well shot, has a remarkable soundtrack with very suitable songs and contains lots of very impressive scenes: some of them are really funny while the others are heartfelt and inspiring. It is just the film that such kind of film's supposed to be: very enjoyable film that at the same time manages to carry strong and intelligent messages in a very good way. As some people here before I can only add that I wish to had such a teachers during my school days (I know it's kinda stupid but that's all I can say). Very good film indeed.

9 out of 10

i saw this film by accident a few months ago, honestly only bothered watching it for Ryan Reynolds but now i love it, its so amazing, laugh out loud funny and heart breakingly sad without being mushy. And the kids in it are fantastic, i love the boy who tap dances in the basketball game, he cracks me up.

I would recommend this to any Ryan Reynolds fan, he's an outstanding actor and an incredibly gifted comedian, and so gorgeous looking!!

This film is full of great performances and likable characters and if it doesn't make you tear up just little then you have no soul!(only joking.but really, its sad)

This movie shows people that first impressions are not always correct. At the beginning Mr. Matt Warner thought that Mr.D. had it all looks, charm, and everyone everywhere seem to love him. After he found out a secret about Mr. D. he realized that a person who takes the time to care for others even when they have their own problems is truly special. This movie is heartwarming and loving. Some people said the movie was not good, I respect their opinions. I however, could not wait to see this movie. If this movie ever comes out on video or DVD I will be buying it. The movie just showed how the human spirit can inspire people and u can find inspiration in people u would not think of finding it in.