Front of the Class

In this fact-based story, Brad Cohen has Tourette's Syndrome. This means he makes noises involuntarily, even in places like school, where he would be expected to behave.

Early in the movie, with James Wolk narrating, we first see Brad as a child in St. Louis, played by Dominic Scott Kay. Brad is picked on by other children and told to behave by his teachers. Since he can't control himself, he is constantly being sent to the principal. His father Norman (Treat Williams) has divorced his mother and still believes Brad should work harder to control his actions. So mother Ellen (Patricia Heaton) must raise Brad and his brother Jeff (Charles Wyson) pretty much on her own. Ellen does research and finds out there is a name for Brad's condition, but no cure. The one thing Brad can do that pleases his father is play baseball, where rude noises are tolerated.

For the first part of the movie, the scenes of Brad's childhood alternate with those of the adult Brad, played by Wolk, who is living with a roommate Ron (not a real person, I found out, but a composite of several friends) and trying unsuccessfully to get a job as a second grade teacher in Atlanta, where his father runs a construction business. Norman wants Brad to work for him, but Brad is determined to prove he can make it as a teacher.

Young Brad finally finds a school that will accept him. The actions of Principal Myer inspire him not to give up, and he is determined to be a teacher unlike those who mistreated him.

But finding that job won't be easy. Though Brad demonstrates a great deal of confidence and determination and has a winning personality, and even though he succeeded as a student teacher. No one wants to take a chance on him. But Brad pushes harder, even as financial considerations force him to work for his father--doing the dirty work on job sites. Finally, Brad hears from Mountain View Elementary. They actually want him! Jim Ovbey (Joe Chrest) is the principal, and Hilarie Straka (Dianne Butler, who reminds me of Patricia Routledge in appearance) is the assistant principal who actually hired him. Susan Scott (Helen Ingebritsen) is his mentor.

But it still won't be easy to get through the first year. Some parents are uncomfortable with him. There are students with problems, but Brad has the ability to deal with those. After all, he too was a problem student, and he learned from his disability.

Will he succeed? Well, if he didn't, would you be watching this?

Oh, Brad also wants to have relationships with women. Can he do that too? What do you think?

I predict an Emmy nomination for James Wolk. It's not just that he effectively shows Brad's disability, or that he seamlessly integrates it into what seem he makes like normal conversation. He shows a very confident, very determined, easily likable man, in a way that would have made his performance a winner even if Brad had been like most of us. And he is an excellent teacher and loved by his students, who are also effectively portrayed.

Patricia Heaton does a very good job, partly because I didn't even know who he was. I know her mainly from "Back to You" and clips of "Everybody Loves Raymond".

Mike Pniewski has only a few lines, but as the principal who changed Brad's life, he is outstanding.

Sarah Drew does a very good job as Nancy, the girl who accepts Brad as he is and may go on to be more than just a girlfriend.

I only have one criticism. Does Brad really make those noises THAT often in real life? He says it's mainly when he's nervous, but I think the writers could have cut back a little when he wasn't.

This is definitely worthy of the name Hallmark Hall of Fame.

I came home from work today, switched on my TV and randomly put a film on, and it happened to be this, and i was instantly drawn to it! this genre of films usually doesn't get me interested but the main actor, was fantastic, the adult version of Brad Cohen was excellent in his role! and you instantly liked him,the film develops well and you get to know the characters quickly and efficiently. I also loved the relationship problem between brad and his dad, just to make you feel even more sympathetic towards brad. There are some sad scenes that can make you upset, but there are superb scenes which have you laughing! i would highly recommend this film! 10/10

I was looking for other movies that Dominic Scott Kay had done and stumbled on this one and I bought it and then I remembered seeing advertisement for its airing, but sadly never watched it.

This was the best movie I have ever seen and have never heard of Tourett's Syndrome. the acting was superb from everyone even to the little kids. Jimmy was great and really looks like an older Dominic. We loved Dominic in the Santa movies and on NCIS as the boy scout.

I will only support the Tourette cause, I hope the real Brad Cohen stays happy and is a true role model for anyone with disabilities.

I hope you will do a follow-up movie. I would like to see more from Jimmy and of course Dominic.

My wife told me I had to watch this movie with her because of how good it was. She was right! Front of the Class tells the inspiring story of Brad Cohen, based on the real life person. Brad (played by TV actor James Wolk) grows up in a broken family after his mom and dad divorce. Since his youth, Brad started making uncontrollable odd noises at random, with no ability to control them.

His Mom, played wonderfully by Patricia Heaton (Raymond TV series), won't take the doctor's diagnosis of basically no explanation. She digs and digs and discovers Tourette's Syndrome, a neurological disease, with no cure. With unbelievable love and patience, much like Sally Fields in Forest Gump, she supports and encourages her son to pursue his dream of becoming a teacher.

Brad goes through a tough time that demonstrates the ignorance of supposedly educated human beings as he interviews over and over for jobs in the education field. He has all the credentials from his studies - he needs a break.

The film nicely weaves back and forth between the young Brad dealing with people not accepting him then, versus adults not accepting him as he's an adult. I can only imagine how frustrating this must have been.

The movie also weaves in a complicated father/son relationship, nicely delivered by Treat Williams, a very strong performance.

The ending will have you cheering, so yes, Hallmark movies are sappy. But this one will give you a nice warm heart. It's a perfect holiday movie to pick up your spirit and give you hope for a better world.

See Front of the Class - you will enjoy it!

I liked this movie and recommend it cause it shows that no obstacle can stop us to achieve our dreams. For Cohen, the dream is to become a teacher, and for me, it could be any other dream. This story teaches me to persist and never give up. It's a beautiful motivation story and at every step that Cohen walks, in his trials and (a lot of) failures we can reflect and question ourselves: How strong and persistent we are in the pursuits of our goals?