Paul Giamatti - Paul Hunham
Dominic Sessa - Angus Tully
Da'Vine Joy Randolph - Mary Lamb
Carrie Preston - Miss Lydia Crane
Andrew Garman - Dr. Hardy Woodrup
Summary
In December 1970, Barton Academy headmaster Dr. Hardy Woodrup forces unpopular history teacher Paul Hunham to supervise a group of boys left on campus for the holidays.
After several days, everybody bar Angus Tully are 'rescued' by one of the holdovers' wealthy parents via helicopter, leaving belligerent teenager to brave shit out with Paul and cafeteria manager Mary.
Non nobis solum nati sumus
Featuring amazing performances and heartfelt emotion - this was brilliant.
Script is full of dry humour, but Paul telling Woodrup he's "penis cancer in human form" was my personal highlight.
Unlike his misanthropic character, Giamatti doesn't have a lazy eye; and it hasn't been revealed how effect was achieved.
While comparisons to The Shining and The Breakfast Club are inevitable, Hal Ashby classics such as The Last Detail and Harold and Maude perhaps served as a greater influence.
Truth be told, lovingly crafted affair really comes into its own when Paul takes Angus on a 'field trip' to Boston.
Although character study ventures down a predictable path, it's difficult to criticise something which is handled with such wit and maturity.
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