A Substituta

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.