KEVIN WILLIAMSON
Bil’s rating (out of 5): BB.5.
USA, 1999. Miramax, Konrad Pictures, Interscope Communications. Screenplay by Kevin Williamson. Cinematography by Jerzy Zielinski. Produced by Cathy Konrad. Music by John Frizzell. Production Design by Naomi Shohan. Costume Design by Susie DeSanto. Film Editing by Debra Neil-Fisher.
A group of students take their mean-ass teacher (Helen Mirren) hostage in her own home when she won’t negotiate with them for a better grade. As the authority figure in the room, Mirren has no end of fun chewing up the scenery around her, but the initially inviting premise ends up playing down to a paltry ending. Katie Holmes is charming as a sweet and innocent girl who really feels bad about the situation when things get out of hand but not enough to change it. Real teachers might get a kick out of seeing themselves turned into movie monsters (they should rent this and The Faculty), and teenagers will be entertained, but otherwise it gets a low grade.
