Teaching Mrs. Tingle

Starring: Katie Holmes, Barry Watson, Helen Mirren, Marisa Coughlin, Molly Ringwald, Vivica A. Fox
Directed by: Kevin Williamson
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Thriller
1999

Times Seen:
Tim: 2

Summary: Shortly before graduation from high school, straight-laced Leigh Ann (Katie Holmes) is accused of cheating by the meanest, cruelest teacher in the school, Mrs. Tingle (Helen Mirren). Threatened with losing all opportunites to graduate and go to college, Leigh Ann reluctantly teams up with her best friend (Marisa Coughlin) and a troublemaking rebel (Barry Watson) to kidnap Mrs. Tingle and force her to see the truth in the matter.

Review:

Tim: Teaching Mrs. Tingle is a much better movie than it probably should be. It might seem to be some cheesy teen flick, but there's actually a lot more to it than meets the eye. By no means am I saying the film is tremendous, but it is without a doubt worth your viewing.

The cast really makes the film in this case. Katie Holmes and Barry Watson both give very good performances, and actually manage to muster up a little chemistry as well. They are both young, talented actors, and having them together on the screen is a delight. Marisa Coughlin gives a surprisingly charasmatic performance as well. However, all other actors fade in comparison to Helen Mirren's performance as Mrs. Tingle. She is so evil that it is enjoyable to watch. She delivers some truly memorable and painful lines brilliantly. Everything about her character and her performance is just so mean that you get caught up in hating her.

In all honesty, I can't exactly state why this movie is as good as it is. Perhaps part of it is some old desire to tie up that mean, hurtful teacher you had in high school and force them to listen to your side of events. I'm not quite sure. All I can really say is to take a chance with this movie, because though not great, it is surprisingly good.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 7.5


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