School is now in Secession: Believe it or not there are some teachers out there who really just don’t care and they have there own separate lesson plans. For example, there's Elizabeth Halsey (Cameron Diaz) is an unethical, money hungry Chicago-area middle school teacher at the John Adams Middle School who yells and uses vulgar and foul language at her students, heavy alcoholic, pot smoker, and only shows movies in class while she sleeps the entire time. Her plans are to stop teaching and marry her wealthy fiancé, but when he calls off the wedding and breaks things off after he and his accountant realizes her heavy spending and the fact she was only using him for his money. She now has to return back to her profession of teaching. She sets her goals to win over the new substitute teacher Scott Delacorte (Justin Timberlake), who is also wealthy. Amy Squirrel (Lucy Punch), a hardworking but very eager teacher and colleague of Elizabeth, also sets her sights on Scott while the school's gym teacher, Russell Gettis (Jason Segel), makes a move on Elizabeth, which she so rudely rejects his advances. (Although it’s clear he’s a far better companion for Elizabeth.) This witty and hilarious comedy features an awesome winning cast Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Lucy Punch, John Michael Higgins, and Jason Segel. Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg wrote the film on June 24th, 2011. Jake Kasdan directed the film. (imbd.com) The genre of the film is Comedy. Bad Teacher takes a step back from traditional accepted norms of everyday school systems. In fact, the movie delivers just the complete opposite of how we view teachers in everyday society. Overall I thought the movie was pleasant and quite clever. It was really great seeing Cameron Diaz play such an obnoxious and raunchy role. For example there’s a scene in the movie where Cameron Diaz takes over as a chaperon for the 7th Grade Carwash. She shows up in mini shorts and a belly shirt and she’s being very seductive and provocative to raise a lot of funds. She was acting so sexy she caused a police car to run into another customer’s car that was being washed. The film gives you a different outlook on what educators face from day to day. The film shows that even teacher’s experience the drama life has to offer as well as students does. This film truly a must see as quoted by Colin Covert of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune "Bad Teacher" is Diaz's show, however, and she contributes a performance that doesn't feel like it came from the stock comedy character catalog. (Covert) “This one may not sit at the head of the class, but it earns a smattering of gold stars” (Covert). Bad Teacher is hardly your average perfect picture, but in the context of every other comedy on the summer movie line up that year from the artificial liberation of "Bridesmaids" to the disturbed frat-guy adventures of "The Hangover Part II" it feels astonishing. When I think about this film and its entirety the movie “Bad Santa” comes to mind. Also directed by Jake Kasdan this film has that same raw and raunchiness that you wouldn’t expect when you think of Santa and his image. This film also displays Billy Bob Thornton (A conman) takes a job as a Mall Holiday Santa to rob the local department stores. In this film Thornton is equally foul mouth and down right disrespectful through out the entire movie. But in the end he also learns a lesson and is taught a life-changing lesson. This film although not as great to some film critics as others the gross made up in the films opening weekend speaks a whole different story. The budget for this film was estimated around $20,000,000. Opening Weekend the film racked up a whopping $31,603,106 (USA)(imbd.com) “Bad Teacher” compared to other movies that were estimated to do really well such as “ Arthur” Staring Russell Brand. In this film Brand plays a drunken playboy who stands to lose a wealthy inheritance when he falls for a woman his family doesn't like. This film had an estimated Budget of $40,000,000 and only brought in around $12,222,756 (USA) in its Opening Weekend. (imbd.com) As compared to “Bad Teacher.” Or for instance “Zoo Keeper” a comedy staring Kevin James released around the same time didn't quite gross as much. This film is about a group of zoo animals deciding to break their code of silence in order to help their lovable zookeeper find love without opting to leave his current job for something more illustrious. This film had a budget of $80,000,000 and in its Opening Weekend it grossed about $20,065,617 (USA). (imbd.com) What I find so remarkable to me about this film were the messages that were taught and given. There was a scene in the movie where an unpopular student who was often teased had a crush on the most popular girl in the class. The student worked up the never to confessed his love and once again the entire class humiliated him. Cameron Diaz proceeds to run off to catch him and she has a long talk with him. After the talk she gives him her bra and makes up a bogus story about him and another student from a different school so he becomes popular with the other students. When the new school year starts, Elizabeth is an entirely different person. She is a lot nicer to her staff and she’s also now dating Russell. Elizabeth also has a new position at John Adams Middle School as the new guidance counselor.
Overall I feel the movie accomplished just what the writers and director set out to do and that make a clever comedy. The writers and director weren’t afraid to push all boundaries. This movie is one of those films I feel will go down in history as a classic. Its evident that this isn’t a movie for everyone and some may find offensive or inappropriate but for those with a sense of humor with enjoy it and its entirety.

Works Cited:
IMDB. IMDB.com, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. <http://www.imdb.com/>.
Covert, Colin. "Bad Teacher”: Check out Miss Halsey." Star Tribune. N.p., 28 June 2011. Web.