Bad Education (2019)

Directed by Cory Finley and starring an ensemble cast of Hugh Jackman (Logan), Allison Janney (American Beauty), and Geraldine Viswanathan (Blockers), Bad Education explores the rotten underside of a picture-perfect New York high school. Based on the true story of the 2004 Roslyn High School 11-million-dollar financial scandal, Bad Education happens close to home, and with its frequent references to our very own Syosset High School, it makes for a particularly interesting watch for any Syosset viewers.

Charismatic Roslyn High School superintendent Frank Tassone (Jackman) and his long-time assistant Pam Gluckin (Janney) are seemingly at the top of their world: their high school has just been ranked fourth in the nation, virtually all the parents love them, and more and more of their students are being accepted into prestigious universities. Ironically prompted by Tassone himself, greenhorn high-school journalist Rachel (Viswanathan) embarks on an investigative report on Roslyn’s budget spendings – accidentally revealing a sinister plot that would undermine the integrity of the entire district. The true nature of the riveting scandal slowly unfold to both Rachel and the rest of the school board – and the initial figures might only be the tip of the iceberg.

In his brilliantly executed satire, Finley finds dark humor in the web of fake smiles and superficial acquaintanceship that is public school administration. Instead of following the typical tropes of the high school movie, Bad Education tells its story through the details: the high school’s leaking ceiling, the characters’ preferred beverages, and the mansions that pervade the surrounding neighborhood subtly paint the ironic contrasts of Roslyn High School. At its core, Bad Education is the story of a spectacular fall from grace, and one that still masterfully manages to find amusing laughs and tell a powerful, emotional lesson at a punctual, satisfying pace. Fully leveraging the performance capabilities of its entire stellar cast, it’s no wonder that Bad Education even has a Primetime Emmy Nomination. Highly recommended.

Thank you for another great review, Griffin! – Mrs. Long