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.

Yes, the film is a bit corny and goody-goody, and yes, it does resemble a Disney production. But in the end, it will make you a better person for having seen and understanding it. Tourette's Syndrome is not a joke as it is portrayed insensitively by South Part and Cartman; it is an incurable, miserable, handicap that requires an extremely resilient personality to withstand. Brad Cohen was that type of person; one who fought "his companion" tooth and nail for his entire young life. If you can't get inspired by this film, then there is probably very little in life that will ever inspire you. Like the films The Miracle Worker and My Left Foot, it is a story about beating overwhelming odds to gain entry into that most common of all societies; the every-day person of the work world. It is amazing what we all take for granted. After seeing this film, you might appreciate what you have in life a little bit more.

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?

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!

It's a simple yet inspiring story,the adversities the protagonist met just like what everyone has to deal with in real life. The disappointment and despair when hunting for a job ,the issues with family, everything is just like going through life. Except that with his disability,he learned to understand more and care more,of course also fight harder for his dreams, really moving and encouraging.