Bad Education (2019)

Bad Education (2019)

7/10

Starring

Hugh Jackman

Allison Janney

Geraldine Viswanathan

Alex Wolff

Directed by Cory Finley

Bad Education is a crime drama about school embezzlement, based on the true story of how a superintendent and his assistant stole over $11 million in tax dollars. When I see movies like this and see how easy some people are able to get away with government money, I wonder why more money isn’t pumped into overseeing how the people tax are spent.

This movie caught me off guard. When I realized it was based on a true story, I was captivated and eager to see how everything would unfold. The script is well-paced, leaving no room for boredom. Events progress steadily, and the plot is both exciting and easy to follow. What’s striking is how the character who initially appears to be the moral compass gradually unravels, revealing a dark, insensitive, and manipulative side that’s genuinely unsettling.

Director Cory Finley does an excellent job keeping the audience engaged while carefully unveiling the depths of corruption. When the full extent of the embezzlement is finally revealed, it’s shocking to see just how much was stolen.

The story left me wondering how long this theft could have continued if it weren’t for a high school newspaper’s investigation.

The movie introduces us to Dr. Frank Tassone (Hugh Jackman), the superintendent of the Roslyn Union Free School District on Long Island. Frank is charismatic and well-loved by his colleagues, the school board, parents, and students. The assistant superintendent, Pam Gluckin (Allison Janney), oversees school district projects, including their latest endeavor—a skywalk.

The skywalk project is just one of many initiatives spearheaded by the school board under Frank and Pam’s leadership, all aimed at making Roslyn the top school in the country. Frank is deeply invested in appearances, evident in his polished demeanor and meticulous presentation. Projects that elevate the school’s reputation and give it a "classy" image are his passion.

Meanwhile, a student journalist named Rachel is working on an article for the school paper about the new skywalk. During her research, an unrelated incident exposes Pam’s reckless misuse of a school expense card, which she allowed her family to use freely. The situation escalates when her son makes a significant purchase for home improvements, triggering scrutiny from the school board.

This discovery sets off a domino effect, and the layers of corruption begin to unravel. To find out how it all plays out, you’ll have to watch the movie.

Bad Education is a compelling and well-crafted film, and I highly recommend it.