Who payed the critics

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

Recently saw this 80s Arthur Hiller directed mess, entitled "Teachers". I'm not sure if the screenwriters or director know what they're trying to make, a faux-play mockery of teachers, or some heartfelt drama about a burnt out one, the lead character played well by Nick Nolte. There's no denying that there are some genuine moments in "Teachers" that do pretty well and hit some good notes, including some well written dialog - more so in the first 2/3rd of runtime. However, a good movie has focus and continuity of tone, and this one sorely lacks both. The way the teachers, school board-members, and staff interact is buffoonery and sitcomish. You have a kid getting shot, and a woman stripping in the middle of the halls - while pranks, smoking, and statutory rape are all thrown together as side shows. The tone of this movie is all over the place. It's a good thing Nolte helps to somewhat ground all the cheap tricks with his deep voice and sage-like countenance - he alone makes the movie bearable. 6/10 Borderline recommended.

This off-the-wall film, unrealistic at times, is absolutely terrific. Why? It brings forth the blame of the urban school system on where it belongs- the administration, uncaring parents, and even the teachers to some degree.Judd Hirsch is perfect as the lousy English teacher who got out of the classroom and is now some stinker as an assistant principal.The always terrific Lee Grant shines as the District Superintendent, desperately trying to save her rear end and those of her administrators at the expense of the students who attend this school of utter failure. Of course, we must remember that it is the student population that will make or break a school.Nick Nolte, as the frustrated burned out teacher, is perfect for the part. He reaches the point where he is no longer able to work under a miserable system.While the section dealing with the teacher who died while reading a newspaper may be over the top, the sequence just shows you how bad our schools can be.Jo Beth Williams is stunning as a former graduate, an attorney, who is fighting the school for its inability to educate.James Dean could move over thanks to a towering performance by Ralph Macchio, as a student going nowhere but to disaster. Macchio conveys the frustrated, out of control kid, who is almost doomed by uncaring parents and an administration in school. This film is great on detail. Madeleine Sherwood plays the role of the school secretary just as I've observed many a secretary. School secretaries think that they run the schools and they're not entirely wrong. Principals have given them such authority. William Schallert, who portrays the principal in this film, conveys the idea of the figure head. He is there in name only. Afraid of scandal and to step on toes, he is the typical principal leading an urban school-while counting the days to retirement. This film is definitely thought provoking as it attempts to establish what is going on in our urban school system. It a rousing success.

I first saw this film on video in the 80's. I thought it was pretty funny at times. However, I felt that was sort of a flaw because near the end it gets too serious, which we aren't really prepared for. Maybe it should have been more serious early on in depicting the school being sued by a former student. Nolte is pretty good in his role, although I have heard he was drunk a lot, which does fit his character in one scene with his buddy Roger. The cast is fine, maybe they should've just tried to be more serious and not gone for so much comedy. Also, I like to give star ratings, not a number from one to ten. Basically I give it 2.5 stars for its humor. One more thing. Liked the songs. Should try to get the soundtrack someday.

Except for the shock of JoBeth Williams idiot-level strip tease, plus a few other sharp digs about school teachers you and I have hated or loved, I can't think of a single reason to pay any attention to this Arthur Hiller glob of pretentiousness. Whatever Hiller did to elicit what Judith Crist said was "arguably George C. Scott's finest screen performance" in The Hospital, he didn't do it here for Nick Nolte or Williams or anyone else involved. What we're left with is a stale attempt to expose the darker workings of an American high school, but unlike The Hospital and its wonderfully scorched-earth approach to the runnings of a major healing center, Teachers just makes you want to vote for vouchers--and get your money back from the place you rented this dreck.