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Detachment, scathing and caustic portrait of the current education system
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Once again Tony Kaye (American History X) deals with the theme of marginalized youth to show us the discipline problems that teaching professionals have to face every day. But the director's purpose doesn't finish here, since the watcher feels really restless and devastated by the general loneliness shrouding the story.
All the characters seem to be living at a vital moment when each and every day seems to be a constant struggle against their own ghosts. Adults fight against the ghosts they have inherited from the past and young people do the same with their present ghosts which will also be their future ones in a not too distant time. The character's relationship with life seems to be doomed to failure, nearly always pervaded with frustration and resignation.
There is an accumulation of dramatic situations that at times can be overwhelming.
But leaving aside the very sad personal stories, the film also wants to be a scathing and caustic portrait of the current education system, especially of the public one, where the professionals too often have to deal with disrespect, threats and aggression rather than with transmitting knowledge, awakening sensibilities or educating critical and reflective minds, those skills that they surely wanted to teach when they chose their profession.
There is also a very good performance by Adrien Brody (The Pianist) who is solely responsible for both the rhythm and tempo of the play. Although he is a sad protagonist, rather reticent about his emotional life, he knows how to silence his own feelings and help those around him, including his own grandfather who is responsible for his unfortunate childhood.
