Detachment

Provocative And Unrelenting: A Bold Drama About Education That Is Uncompromising, If A Bit Heavy Handed
Controversial director Tony Kaye certainly doesn't play it safe. Notorious for "American History X," Kaye has proven himself both outspoken and challenging as a filmmaker (and as a person). Despite that film's positive reception by both audiences and critics (as well as its Oscar nominated leading performance by Edward Norton), Kaye publicly disavowed the movie after it was recut against his wishes. So it's no surprise that "Detachment," from a screenplay by Carl Lund, is like a brisk slap to the face. A bleak and depressing portrait of the American educational system, the film is unrelentingly dark. In its world view, it certainly has a refreshing candor and truth. At times, though, the stylized nature of the movie can detract from its essence. It is surely meant to provoke, which it does, but it also has the tendency to straddle the line of pushing over-the-top when a bit of restraint might have balanced the action. Still, though, it's hard to fault someone willing to make a...

Adrian Brody's best yet
To begin: the first third of the movie is out of synch which almost had me turn it off and ask for my money back. But I stuck with it, although it should be fixed, and am I ever glad I did.

This is a beautiful, and also a heartbreaking film. Adrian Brody has the most soulful eyes and is superb in this film.

The story is not very new, but it's approach is different.

I felt a lot of empathy for each character.

It is not for the faint of heart, for it has quite a few very difficult situations presented.

But it's not exploitative at all.

Rather it is tender. Yes, tender. And you feel for these people as if they were you and yours.

Finally , a teacher drama that tells it like it is
I related to this wonderful film as a 38 year teacher. I watched it twice on on demand, tried to VCR it the second time, but it didn't come out that well. I can't wait until the DVD is released. While the sub plot involving the teenage prostitute is a bit too much, the classroom scenes are haunting and frightfully real, particularly when it is the first day. The faculty burnout scenes are beautifully scripted as a consequence of students bad treatment of teachers. Those not in the profession who villify teachers constantly should see this film and maybe have a degree of sympathy for us.

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