A straightforward telling of true events, Bad Education is an engrossing, no-frills narrative of the biggest financial fraud in American high school history.
With the local New York State schools on the up, choice college places on offer – and house prices soaring, popular district superintendent Frank Tassone (Hugh Jackman – Logan, The Greatest Showman) and assistant superintendent, Pam Gluckin (Allison Janney – I Tonya, Bombshell) can do no wrong. But a school newspaper journalist, Rachel (Geraldine Viswanathan – Hala, Blockers), researching a few-lined article, reveals unexpected truths.
Jackman and Janney certainly enjoy themselves in a film not afraid to tease out the humour and absurdity of events (directed by Corey Finley – Thoroughbreds) as the sheer chutzpah of the fraud highlights the culpability of the school education board. And look out for that final statement as the credits role…
Winner of the 2020 Primetime Emmy for best television film.
Rating: 70%
An Opinion or Two 