School of Life

2005

School of Life

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Tomatometer
Not Yet Available

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: N/A

70%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 12,155

ADD YOUR RATING

School of Life Photos

View All Photos

Movie Info

A small-town history teacher with a decidedly different approach to public education raises the ire of a stuffy biology teacher who's looking to win the "Teacher of the Year" award in this made-for-television family-oriented comedy starring Ryan Reynolds and David Paymer. Mr. D (Reynolds) doesn't just teach history, he lives it; and his passion for the oft-dreaded subject is infectious. Though the kids and the faculty all love Mr. D, biology teacher Matt Warner (Paymer) views the newly arrived educator as little more than another roadblock in his path to take the "Teacher of the Year" prize. The son of wildly popular educator Stormin' Norman (John Astin) -- a man who had achieved the astonishing feat of winning the top teacher award for 43 years in a row -- Matt Warner is desperate to prove his worth as a teacher by following in his fathers formidable footsteps. When Warner learns a secret about Mr. D that could bring the newly arrived teacher down and place Warner directly in position to take the Teacher of the Year title, the entire town of Fallbrook learns an important lesson that can't be taught in a textbook.

Rating:

PG (for language, brief sensuality and rude humor.)
Genre:

Comedy, Drama, Kids & Family, Television
Directed By:

William Dear
Written By:

Jonathan Khan, Jonathan Kahn
In Theaters:

Feb 19, 2005 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Jan 3, 2006
Runtime:

110 minutes
Studio:

Gynormous Pictures

Watch it now

iTunes

Vudu

Cast

David Paymer
as Matt Warner

Ryan Reynolds
as Michael D'Angelo

John Astin
as Norman Warner

Andrew Robb
as Dylan Warner

Kate Vernon
as Elli Warner

Don MacKay
as Principal Bass

Brenda McDonald
as Maggie Little

Leila Johnson
as Denise Davies

Chris Gauthier
as Vern Cole

Shylo Sharity
as Chase

Paul Jarrett
as Dan Parks

Gordie Giroux
as Seth

Asia Lim
as Kylie

Bill Dear
as Astronaut

Chelsea Florko
as Heather

Keith William Miller
as Howard

Alexander Pollock
as Clyde

Jillian Marie
as Patty

Carly McKillip
as Devon

Christopher Attadia
as Brad

Hunter Elliot
as Madman

Keith Miller
as Howard

Richard Harmon
as Timmy

Kimberly Paris
as Susie

Lisa Dahling
as Miss Hunt

Lorena Gale
as Matilda Smith

View All

Critic Reviews for School of Life

All Critics (2)

Dramedy about loss has positive messages, mature themes.

Apr 26, 2016 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Andrea Beach
Common Sense Media
...substitutes overt instances of sentimentality for anything even resembling authenticity and genuine emotion.

Oct 21, 2005 | Rating: 1/4 | Full Review…

David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

View All Critic Reviews (2)

Audience Reviews for School of Life

Feb 04, 2014

This movie leaves you with a ray of hope that there are some teachers that are not disillusioned.

Red L Super Reviewer
Oct 07, 2011

starring Ryan Reynolds Who plays a teacher that I wish I had for History class (or any other one for that matter being he makes it fun & interesting.. Key word..ENTERTAINING.) Real teachers need to take notes from this character. He's mysterious and kids & teachers alike just love him, All but one. The stuffy Biology Teacher whose father won the Teacher of the year award for 40+ years in a row, and swears this is his year is suspicious of him. I think it's a cool film Oh & to exlain more I would have to ruin the movie for you as that mystery is part of the key to the whole movie B

Kym (c my community profile) R Super Reviewer
Mar 05, 2011

A high school biology teacher (David Paymer) wants to be the best teacher of the year to honor the memory of his just deceased father "Storming Norman Warner" who won the "teacher of the year" award 43 years running. But then along comes the coolest sexiest young history teacher any high school has ever seen (Gorgeous Ryan Reynolds as Mr. D) and dashes all his hopes of this ever happening. I recommend this picture because it is excellent portrait of what a school teacher needs to do in order to be effective. As Mr. D shows, the most important part of education is connecting with your students. This way they want to come to class, they want to participate, and they will enjoy learning. <a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=lxfdj" target="_blank"><img src="http://i53.tinypic.com/lxfdj.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

Deb S Super Reviewer
Sep 05, 2010

Ryan Reynolds. Never heard of this, yet I found it to be absolutely fantastic! He is just the best.

Cynthia S Super Reviewer