USA, directed by Jason Strouse
Mad Cow’s rating:
This comedy, a bit like a Christopher Guest movie, gives us a “documentary” of a charter school, with interviews and class sessions and a narrative that revolves around a teacher who was named California’s teacher of the year. Strouse, a former stand-up comedian who also wrote the screen play, actually teaches AP English and filmed the movie at his school. It’s an hilarious reminder of some of the teachers we all had in high school and their bored, delinquent, confused, and smart students. But it’s a film with a heart and a message about what constitutes good education, amidst the chaos and craziness. It’s a lot of fun.