This was a film I was looking forward to seeing.
If you’ve seen a preview, the plot isn’t particularly complicated: Cameron Diaz plays a public school teacher (grade 7) who has thus far failed in her mission to land a rich husband and never teach again. As the film begins she is engaged to what seems to be the perfect wealthy idiot; but the idiot’s family is looking out for him and manage to save him from Diaz’s (very entertaining) aging harpy. So after a summer of following around pro basketball players, who are surprisingly skillful at denying any opportunity for Diaz to conceive a love child, she must return to teaching.
She hates her coworkers, her students, and engages in constant (and hilarious) substance abuse. Then she meets the new substitute teacher (Justin Timberlake). Not only does he look like Justin Timberlake; he also comes from old (and huge) money. Diaz has some initial trouble coercing him and learns he has recently ended a long relationship. Diaz concludes that her failure to land Timberlake isn’t because of any (numerous) character flaws; but that her tits are too small. New, high quality implants will run her $10,000; which she does not have. So Diaz proceeds to scam every red cent she can out of the public school system and everyone else she encounters.
I’m not usually a fan of Cameron Diaz, though I did enjoy her in Any Given Sunday. Apparently I only like her when she plays an evil bitch. (I’m not sure whether that’s a knock on me or her) But her evil bitch in this movie is epic. She can be bribed for good grades, keeps a mini-bar/pharmacy/hydroponic site in her desk at school, and only begins to teach her students when she realizes there’s a cash prize.
Justin Timberlake turns in a solid performance as the reason Diaz is getting her tits done. Jason Segel is great as the gym teacher who stages an entertaining Machiavellian campaign to nail Diaz. Lucy Punch plays the good teacher and enemy of the Diaz’s titular bad teacher. One of the best elements of the movie is Lucy’s campaign to expose Diaz’s many many transgressions and Diaz’s innovative defense. Really, her defense is so crafty that you’ll find yourself rooting for the bad teacher.
There’s also good comedy support from Phyllis Smith (The Office) and Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family). The film is directed by Jake Kasdan (stable boy 1 from Silverado). The movie was written by Office vets Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky. It’s well worth seeing.