The Substitute (1993)

I finally came to view this, yesterday, if only for Marky Mark Wahlberg. He gives a kind of breakthrough, if memorable performance. Suck factor: he dies 51 minutes into the movie, at which point I, turned off. Killing MM in this film, is like sticking a knife right in the belly of it, his life, taken by the murderous crazed, hottie teach, Donahue, a human sex magnet to the eyes of any male, much more ones, who are undersexed. She killed her former hottie husband, after catching him in bed with one of her students, and from there, she just loses it, where cut to the present, she's starting a whole new life, in a new town, and new school, substituting for an old hag, the students were glad to see go. She catches the eye of a young good male student, whose hormones are working overtime. He becomes fixated with her, despite his nicey nice, seet and prim proper girlfriend, Natasha Gregson Wagner. The Substitute, the same title taken a few years later by that Berenger school yard film, is stupid, but marvelously and addictively entertaining, shot how 90's t.v movies were shot, and we wouldn't want it any other way. Donahue and Wahlberg, before he became a rennaisance man, or got any army intelligence, are the two assets here. Donahue, gives a memorably knock out performance, while Wahlberg, generates so much charm, and natural ease in it's acting. You can look at it, as bad, or is it? His entry, while reciting a poem to a much younger Amy Adams, is a hoot as seeing him in some other scenes, such a rebel. I'm sorry I turned off after 51 minutes, but it just wasn't right, disposing of Wahlberg, like a down right low kick to the guts.

A viewer praised the score by Gerald Gouriet (never heard of him, I guess he is a Canadian). Question is: If the music was supposed to be a homage to Bernard Herrmann (the composer of Hitchcock's Vertigo, Psycho, North by Northwest, Marnie) then Mr Gouriet did a great job. Otherwise, it is just too much musically a copycat. Perhaps director Donovan prescribed the similarity on purpose, as many visual passages in this film have been resolved in the non-realistic -almost oneiric- way Hitchcok staged some scenes in his films. A case in point: when Josh is reading the newspaper microfilms at the library, titles (in red) are superimposed over the pages of the newspaper. When Josh is dreaming, color turns red. When the camera shoots down on the smiling and hopeful faces of students is another moment where viewers realize a professional director is holding the reins. All in all, as a TV movie is clearly above average. Watchable, well acted by everybody.

I must admit, I am usually a bit dubious when looking at TV movies, as in most cases they are quite poor, but in this case I was pleasantly surprised. This was mainly due to the superb performance of Amanda Donaghue, who made a convincing & sympathetic psychotic killer (why is it every feature film has to have a British nasty? I know they are always good, but come on), which makes a change from the usual one diminsional characters. The rest of the cast played the part too, & were quite good, making you at least believe in them, though there was the usual nonsense of ancient pupils, who were in alot of cases not much younger than Amanda Donaghue. Ignoring this hilarity, the plot though not exactly thought provoking was at least adequate, & was everything else. So although the film had nothing that hadn't been seen before, it is not bad, & worth a look if only for Miss Donaghue. Now, why didn't I have a horny teacher like her when I was at school.

Amanda Donohue stars as a wonderful teacher with a dark side - she kills people. Pretty unoriginal concept, but I enjoyed it. Amanda Donohue was flawless in her portrayal of both a high school teacher and a psycho loon. She reminded me of my teachers so much I shivered. This film also marks Mark Wahlberg's acting debut and you can tell. Marky Mark was terrible in his portrayal of a "rebellious" teen and potential victim. I was cheering for his death and thank god he's taken some acting lessons since then. Dalton James was alright, but Natasha Gregson Wagner, who looks she's balding, was quite boring.More suspense was needed as was some development of the supporting characters (Wagner, Wahlberg, etc...). Aside from a few lost plots, bad performances and scenes of standard thriller fare, check it out. For once we actually feel for and understand the protagonist. She might kill people for personal gain, but who doesn't?6.5/10