A lezione con Wayne

READING, WRITING AND ROMANCE is the latest in the string of Hallmark Channel romantic comedies in which an arts professional takes a temporary job teaching high school and discovers his true vocation of helping to inspire youngsters. It's the sort of inspiring plot that films like TO SIR WITH LOVE used when I was a kid, and for which Richard Dreyfuss was Oscar-nominated in MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS.

Here's it's Eric Mabius in a well-performed turn as a talented but financially marginal actor who returns to the school, inspires the kids with a love of Shakespeare, falling in love with pretty poetry teacher Virginia Williams. The plot is eked out by Malvolio-like Vice-Principal Trautman, played by Adam Kulbersh.

In fact, this movie is structured as a Shakespearean comedy, with Stephanie Powers taking the typical "Duke" role as the high school principal. Although we get little in the way of slapstick comedy, the leads are very charming and are assisted by the usual cohort of older actors, including Meredith Baxter and Martin Mull as Mabius' parents.

It's not a deep or great movie but should please those who decide to tune in.