Ms. Halsey critically examining her teaching methods. Bad Teacher by Indri Rizal/cc
By Situation Theatre 24/3/14
MARGARET: Many were disturbed by Elizabeth Halsey’s (Cameron Diaz) teaching practice in the first instalment. Thankfully her methodology really takes off in the sequel when she meets substitute teacher Paulo Freire (Justin Timberlake), author of Pedagogy of the Oppressed.
Timberlake is a hunk as Freire. Under his guidance, Ms. Halsey’s teaching becomes the “practice of freedom”, Diaz bringing a surprising nuance to the Brazilian educator’s ideas about critical pedagogy. David?
DAVID: This was just jaw-droppingly awful, Margaret. It’s so puerile. I had a dreadful time, a really awful time. I was bored. It doesn't even look good. The images are drab and uninteresting.
MARGARET: What about some of the ideas, David? In the first film Halsey is a sex object in a 7th grade fundraiser for breast enlargement surgery to increase her chances with a wealthy colleague. In this one she weaves ideas of radical democracy, anarchism, feminism and anti-colonialism into a really inspiring teaching practice. Is that not worth praise?
DAVID: No. It looks like the home movies of a child.
MARGARET: I thought it was an incredible achievement. Five stars. What are you giving it?
DAVID: Nothing. Can I give it minus stars?
MARGARET: Don’t be churlish, David.
DAVID: I love you.
MARGARET: I love you too.