What do you call a teacher who looks sleazy, foul-mouthed, treat children like furniture? Stoned to her last senses, smokes dope and plans an embezzlement at school for her personal beautification. Bad Teacher! Isn’t it?
Ms. Elizabeth Halsey (Cameron Diaz) is a middle school teacher in Illinois. A lazy, incompetent school teacher who hates her job, her students, and her colleagues. She is back to teaching to make enough money for the breast enhancement surgery after her rich fiancé dumps her.
A foul-mouthed teacher who plays movies in the classroom to catch up on her sleep. Steals question papers from authorities for her class to win the sponsorship, so that she gets the prize money for surgery. The only goal of her life is to somehow get this surgery done (which costs a bomb) and marry a rich man (her colleague – Justin Timberlake). She pulls various tricks to reach that goal and doesn’t mind playing dirty back at those who try to cut her short.
The journey she embarked on taught life-changing lessons to many along with her. In the end, all fit well and she starts over again with a promising new career ahead of a guidance counselor.
Movies that Inspire – Bad Teacher
I am sure most of us have seen this flick and appreciated the way Cameron Diaz pulled the role of a badass teacher. Her role is that of a sly, lazy, sleazy person but somewhere deep inside she has a righteousness approach about herself.
A person who doesn’t shy away from situations, but gets around and wins (though her actions need not be right always). There were few scenes in the movie where she has taken the side of her students (in her own weird way) but didn’t let them lose hope.
Inspire not to hide or run away
The movie is entertaining, funny, weird (as we expect our teachers to be sober and leading a ‘sanyasi’s life’). However, so much relatable! Don’t we all have that wicked wide side too, we all possess right and wrong inside us? Which side overpowers who decides the grey matter sitting on the top.
The thing I love most about Bad Teacher is the belief of the protagonist in herself. She does all wrongs to make one right, which is perfectly fine! Who are we to judge he/she is good or bad. It is the society which marks such rules and judgments. She takes her challengers head-on, and why not! Just because she is a female and a teacher, so should not?
She doesn’t teach her kids to say ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’, but show them the real life which is not at all mushy or comfy. Tells them to go and fight your fears, right on its’ face. Her ways are vague but ideas are appreciable. I prefer movies which are crude but real, instead of larger than life flicks with angelic beauty and dreamy stories. So which is your favorite badass movie? The one which is rough, crude, tardy but delivers the bull’s eye message for all.
My dear friend Ruchie and I have joined hands to bring some interesting flicks from the entertainment world for you all. She has featured Super 30, an upcoming biopic on her blog.
This post is part of #FlickFling series for #MyFriendAlexa. ‘I am taking my Alexa rank to the next level with Blogchatter’.
My Alexa rank as of 05/09/2018 is 395,141.
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100 Comments
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This is really look like a great movie to watch and learn lesson of life in different way.
Movie to bahut acchi dikh rahi hai per dikkat hai ki meri frnd abhi yehan hai nahi, uske sath hi possible hoga ?
Aunty ye bahut purani picture hai, 2011 ki. Usually Star Movies par aati rehti hai… kabhi aayegi toh aapko ping kar denge.
Thank you buttu ??
Movies presents a picture of the society. The question is which side of the society. There is good and
bad side to everything in our life. The story may have the meat but the presentation matters. Movies need to be entertaining and reality of society are harsh. The paradox. Balancing these two facets is what makes a movie a success.
Unless the messages are well delivered, merely on entertainment quotient the movie cannot hold on to its ground for long. The characters (like teacher in this movie) are what makes us think the way they behave and express their feelings. We may like or hate a character but if the character does it passionately and aligned with the context of the story that is being told, it is bound to catch the attention of the audiences.
A nice review and quite an interesting perspective.
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Thank You Nihar for your impressions on the movie and learning.
😀
No, I haven’t watched this movie but after reading your review I guess I should go for this movie. Nice message by Bad teacher 🙂
Thank you Iram, glad you like it.
I haven’t seen this movie yet, but I’m intrigued – I’ll watch it soon!
Thank You, Ishita. This is a fun movie to catch with family.
What a movie review, I really liked it, i would definitely like to watch it.
Thank you for stopping by and reading.
Looks like a movie I would love and completely relate to. Don’t we all love those badass women who don’t shy away from a challenge but are anyways good somewhere inside, (though maybe deep inside in this case:).
Namratha from #firstgreenstep
Haha! So true, we have that quirky side inside us.
I simply loved Cameron Diaz in this. Some parts of the movie had me in splits. Wonderful acting as usual from her side. And a great plot too.
Not the typical overtly-emotional school teacher image that our Bollywood cashes on. This one is more real, as flawed as they can get, and yet so so awesome!
Thanks for reminding me of it. Brought a smile to my face…
Indeed! Cameron has played this role and nailed it as – Bad Teacher. I don’t think anyone else can portray this role better.
Saw some of the movie a long time ago on TV, but couldn’t get the feel for it. Worth another try?
Very well reviewed. I am intrigued. Hopefully will watch it soon.
Thank you, for stopping by and reading.
That definitely seems to be an interesting movie. A realistic character with a lot of negatives is a lot more interesting than a goody-two-shoes person who simply does not fit the bill. Great review. #MyFriendAlexa #JaiSReads
Thank You for reading. Glad you share the sentiment about this movie.
I have not seen the movie. Though i always believe that movies are a depiction of what happens in our society and vice versa. It is actually a cycle. As far as right or wrong goes- in my opinion it is the circumstance that decide your fate and not the event itself. I adore your lucid style of writing. It always brings a smile on my face.
True, Sudha! Movies show the real image of society (though little-exaggerated version). Thank you
I haven’t seen this movie as of now but I am definitely going to watch it after reading this review.
I am sure you will like it, thank you for stopping by.
Thank you, for stopping by. Hope you will like it.
I have not seen this movie yet but looks interesting. I am going to watch it soon. Some times teachers like her, teach important life lessons to kids.
True Deepa, lessons can come from any side and anytime. Thanks for reading.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie as well and like your perspective on it. Learning comes from unexpected sources and movies are surely one of them!
Thank You Prerna, I am a movie buff glad you like the movie.
Watched the movie earlier but after your review will watch it again with a different angle…
Thank You Shubhra, for reading.
Dipika, that’s a good review. I started watching the movie, but don’t remember the reason why I couldn’t finish it. I like Cameron Diaz and her brand of acting. Will take it up on Netflix or Romedy Now.
Thank You Anshu, I like Cameron in all her roles. She is a fab actor. Hope you like watching it.
I havent watched the movie Dips though I saw the trailer many times but I intend to catch it now that you have summed it up so well
Thank you Aks, hope you like it.
This is a nice review. You have described many aspects of the character played by Cameron Diaz in great detail. What I find difficult is what is wrong is saying thank you or sorry. This does not make a person soft. Even in real world tough people say sorry in a different lingo, but they do. I also found it difficult to understand doing all wrong things to do one thing right. Do you mean cheat in her job to get her breast implant to marry a rich man? The whole objective is funny. But that is my view. You have liked the movie. I am not judging.
Thank you, Mr. Ray, for stopping by. What I have liked about the character is her honesty and the way she carried dismissal from the society to give it back. There is a difference of opinions, and no there is nothing bad in saying ‘sorry’ & ‘thank you’. All I meant by that she showed per pupils the big bad world outside.
Appreciate your feedback and respect the opinion.
saw the movie last week only on amazon prime, didn’t like it when i started….but still her aim to collect money for her op was a reason she turned different and her attitude made me finish it.
good review
Thank you, for stopping by and reading. Appreciate your feedback.
I haven’t watched the movie yet and your review a compelling enough to make me see it. I am sure its all that you have said it to be. And like you said, messages need not be always preachy but can be packaged differently too.
Thank You, Kalpana, for stopping by. Hope you like the movie when watch it for yourself.
Looks like I am going to like it…I can assure you even before watching it. I don’t like the outright preachy ones…So this looks promising.
You have explained the message so well. Looks like a great movie with a beautiful message.
I will watch this one for sure.
#vigorousreads #MyFriendAlexa
I have watched this movie and I loved the way Cameron pulled up her badass character. You’ve given a good message to your readers. #myfriendalexa #mommyinmereads
Whoa! How did I miss watching this movie? Looks pretty interesting. There’s definitely a Jekyll and Hyde in each one of us and I’m intrigued to see how she manages to flip sides. Her character seems interesting for any actor. This is going to be my next watch. Nice review!
So true Dipali, thank you for stopping and reading.
I haven’t watched the movie, but by your review it surely seems like an interesting watch.
https://www.rohankachalia.com/2018/09/payback-part-2/
A bad ass teacher, never thought of! As you rightly said why it shouldnt be? Apart from apparent nasty shades the protagonist has, there is a better side of her that makes the student to see the life as is! Are teachers not supposed to teach this very important lesson of life?
Hve not watched it, but now will be on look out for it on the movie channels. Thanks Dipika
Looks like an interesting movie. Will watch it for sure. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading.
Cameron Diaz is my favorite actress, but I’m not sure if I have watched this movie.
Thanks Arv, this is fun to watch movie.
Great. will watch it when I can 🙂
Interesting perspective to ‘Bad Teacher’. Good one Dipika. Wonderful blog too. Keep Flying.
#MyFriendAlexa #ContemplationOfaJoker #Jokerophilia
Thank you for much for the kind words. Much appreciated.
have watched the movie. Must day your review does justice to the movie. Cameron Diaz has done a fab job.. Jason Segel complemented her well.
Oh yes! He was the spunk and quirky in his role as a gym instructor. Thank you for stopping by.
I have watched this movie and I so agree with your view point. Teacher who sounds like a bad-ass in the beginning actually ends up doing good!
Hey Dipika, I loved this movie! I remember it most for the crazy way she swipes the question papers and the comic rivalry between her and the “other” teacher for Justin. Thanks for doing this post, the movie was a riot.
Dipika I have seen this movie and throughly loved it. Another movie on the similar lines is School of Rock in which also tthe teacher teaches kids to stand up for themselves.
I have watched this movie many times and loved it actually. Even when Cameroon is portrayed as a bad teacher. 🙂 All is well that ends well.
#mannreads
Agree! That’s how we connect to movies I belive. Thank you
This bad teachers sounds so much like me,DP ! And, I am not sanyasi, wokay…lol
Surprisingly, I have not seen this movie.Will surely watch it this weekend..boley tho tomorrow 😀
Hahaha Meenu! Wondering you in ‘sanyasi roop’. It’s a fun flick, you will like it so much our gangsta kinds.
I loved this movie but never interpretated it this way.. great observation
Thank You, Anisha, glad you like the perspective.
going watch it now…. looks amazing after reading the review.
I watched this movie couple of times! I love the humorous side of this story. The story is indeed crude and close to reality.
I need to watch the movie ASAP…Thanks for the review and your perspective on it…I can focus on certain points at the onset itself!
Thank you for stopping by, hope you like it.
It was a different movie for sure. I saw it long back. But I still don’t remember if it conveyed a good message. It was some horrible fights between her and another teacher, how she tricked her into being sacked or suspended. I didn’t get good vibes or messages from it.
your have summed up beautifully. reading this, i might watch this soon. 😉
THis really is a fun movie. I really like the way Cameron Diaz played the role of a bad teacher who is in her heart a good person. She has her own way of wining a situation and she does her best to achieve her goal. When I first watched this movie, I went mad laughing. I had a simile teacher in my post grad. Although she was not that bad ass but all the boys of my class were mad about her. #vibhuandme
I had liked the movie because of the attitude Cameron Diaz’s shows. She’s badass alright, but the way she inspires and protects her students, makes her more than a bad teacher.
True, thank you for reading.
I have seen this movie and loved Cameron’s acting in it
She has this punk style, which fits in all roles. Thank You.
Larger than life movies are just for fun but no messages at all. The movie you mentioned above are the ones that shows real situation and how to deal with it.
The movie was a nice one time watch for me; nothing great, but fun to watch. And yeah, you have articulated the message that one must grasp from the movie well in the post.
Thanks for your views, it’s one of my favorites.
That’s a fresh view 🙂
Thank You.
Sounds like a good one. I would love to watch it.
I love this movie, Dipika! And Cameron Diaz is just the best person to play the role
Absolutely Puspa, She is the best choice for being badass teacher.
I have seen this film and loved it. Yes, Cameron’s character takes some time to grow on you, but eventually, as you get to know her better, you start liking her for the ‘real’ person she is! It does take guts to live the way she does!
I will watch this movie soon. Very interesting review. ?
Thank You Maya!
Hey I saw this movie available on hotstar or amazon prime but was in a dilemma to watch it…but now I have all the reasons of not to miss this one…
I have wanted to see it from a long time but haven’t gotten around doing it yet. Cameron Diaz has this devil-may-care attitude that she carries off with elan. Watching it at the earliest now!
this happens to be one of my favorite movies. Being a teacher myself, I related a lot to this movie. People often forget that the teachers also have a life outside the classroom and are allowed to be fun loving and wicked.
That’s a real high, getting from a teacher herself. Thank you for stopping by.
Love this movie! And what a review! Well-written!
Wow..remember giving this movie a miss due to the bad reviews it garnered… Looks like it ain’t really bad.. But actually good
it’s a great movie i’ve watched it. initially i thought she’s a horrible teacher but when she pushes the children to fight the battle themselves i understood her approach.
[…] Bad Teacher […]
Nice post about movie review. Keep writing on.