Darren and Rob’s Movie Challenge Week #10 – Rob’s Challenge – The School of Life (2005)

Being that Darren and I both love watching lots and lots of movies, we decided to start a new weekly series where we challenge each other to watch a new movie that we enjoyed and feel the other one might also.

The rules are simple; it has to be a movie we have NEVER seen, (not just not reviewed)

Every Tuesday, we will both post both reviews on our sites.

Let’s hope we both can add lots of new favorites to our personal lists

For my review this week, here are my thoughts on…..

 The School of Life (2005)

“[to Matt and Ellie] Chase thinks we’re the Adams Family. I’ll be in my room. ” – Dylan

Number of Times Seen – 1 (5 Aug 2015)

Brief Synopsis – After a new history teacher appears in a small town school, he changes everyone’s live by showing them new ways to look at life

My Take on it – This is another of Darren’s choices that I’d never even heard of prior to him suggesting that I watch it.

I must say I was surprised that I enjoyed such a quirky movie, but I think it’s because the story is so small-town that there isn’t much not to like here.

The characters all feel unique, the situations they get into are humorous and ultimately, the dialogue is witty and we like the way it’s all being told.

David Paymer is usually not a leading man, but he does a great job leading this film with his quest to achieve a certain goal.  I liked how his character was written and how he was able to raise to a different level as things went on. (yes, I know that another character is the narrator, but the focus really is on Paymer)

Ryan Reynolds has a very important role here, but I also liked how he wasn’t the main focus of this movie but was rather a catalyst for change in everyone.

Bottom Line – Very quirky tale of a small town high school that works because the character and their situations feel unique.  Great message about life.  Paymer is a great lead character with Reynolds character forming an important part in changing everyone’s lives. Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Dylan mentions that Chase believes his family is akin to The Addams Family. John Astin, who appears as Stormin’ Norman Warner, Dylan’s grandfather, in this movie, starred as Gomez Addams in The Addams Family (1964). (From IMDB)

Rating – Globe Worthy

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