The review:
Julia Hart directs and Lily Rabe inhabits Miss Stevens and together they create a story about the parts of teaching that don’t have to do with standing in the front of a classroom. Lily Rabe is a complex Miss Stevens* and watching her students watch her make the choices she does is only part of the fun. At times, the movie balances the teacher/student relationships on a knife’s edge and the tension is in seeing how Miss Stevens will react; in addition, Timothée Chalemet pushes the envelope the most in an excellent performance.**
The verdict: Recommended
Cost: free via Kanopy
Where watched: at home
Consider also watching:
- The Savages
- Good Will Hunting
- Short Term 12
Further sentences:
*I was captivated by her performance. She has a really interesting face: lots of emotion and she looks different from every angle.
**That at one point tips over to “too big” but otherwise is exemplary.
Questions:
- I had trouble making recommendations of other movies.What’s your favorite quiet-mentor movie?
- What was one point where Miss Stevens made a choice that was right for the moment?
- What makes a good teacher?
Favorite IMDB Trivia Item:
The headrests on the front seats of Miss Stevens’ car are incorrectly positioned, causing a safety issue where a crash could potentially lead to the decapitation of the driver and front passenger.
(Oh internet comments. Sometimes I love you so much.)
