Film Review: BAD EDUCATION

Hugh Jackman and Ray Romano share a tense moment.

Bad Education is a great movie from HBO about a crime that really happened 18 years ago but could happen today, tomorrow or any day when nobody is paying close enough attention to the people in power at any institution. Entertaining, informative, shocking and even funny at times, there are no dead bodies anywhere, just ruined careers. The superb cast (that surprisingly does not include any superstars) and very clever director (you never heard of) present a story you will not soon forget.

Superintendent Frank Tassone of the affluent Roslyn School District of Long Island, NY is quite the dandy. A closeted gay man (except to the audience who must endure some deeply amorous moments with his young lover) given to dressing well and having facelifts, everyone absolutely adores him for making their school district fourth in the nation's ranking. His sidekick Pam Glukken (Alison Janney) is the rich, suburban housewife who runs the school district's business affairs. Together they rob the county of millions, brazenly embezzling school funds for their own personal use.  Their scheme unravels at the hands of a curious and persistent student (Geraldine Viswanathen) reporting for the school newspaper. Among the most outraged is the School Board president, a gruff and mustachioed Ray Romano in a strictly dramatic role.

I won't say more so as to not spoil your fun. But do look for it and settle in with a huge bowl of popcorn for a story you won't believe really happened, except for the fact that it really happened. Also, great edgy music throughout  -- the film was made in 2019 -- adds to the experience, and here's a bit of trivia I loved knowing: the script was written by a former student attending the Roslyn Middle School when all of it went down.