Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Of 2025Holiday Watch GuideGotham AwardsCelebrity PhotosSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

School of Life

  • TV Movie
  • 2005
  • PG
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
6.6K
YOUR RATING
School of Life (2005)
ComedyDramaFamilySport

A new teacher squares off against his crusty competitor for a teacher of the year award.A new teacher squares off against his crusty competitor for a teacher of the year award.A new teacher squares off against his crusty competitor for a teacher of the year award.

  • Director
    • William Dear
  • Writer
    • Jonathan Kahn
  • Stars
    • David Paymer
    • Ryan Reynolds
    • John Astin
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    6.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • William Dear
    • Writer
      • Jonathan Kahn
    • Stars
      • David Paymer
      • Ryan Reynolds
      • John Astin
    • 55User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos26

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 20
    View Poster

    Top Cast31

    Edit
    David Paymer
    David Paymer
    • Matt Warner
    Ryan Reynolds
    Ryan Reynolds
    • Mr. D.
    John Astin
    John Astin
    • Norman Warner
    Andrew Robb
    • Dylan Warner
    Kate Vernon
    Kate Vernon
    • Elli Warner
    Don MacKay
    Don MacKay
    • Principal Bass
    Brenda McDonald
    • Maggie Little
    Paul Jarrett
    Paul Jarrett
    • Dan Parks
    Leila Johnson
    Leila Johnson
    • Denise Davies
    Chris Gauthier
    Chris Gauthier
    • Vern Cote
    • (as Christopher Gauthier)
    Shylo Sharity
    • Chase
    Gordie Giroux
    • Seth
    Asia Lim
    • Kylie
    Chelsea Florko
    • Heather
    Alexander Pollock
    • Clyde
    Jillian Marie
    • Patty
    Carly McKillip
    Carly McKillip
    • Devon
    Christopher Attadia
    • Brad
    • Director
      • William Dear
    • Writer
      • Jonathan Kahn
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews55

    6.46.5K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    forever_your_girl

    this is an awesome family movie!!!!!!!!

    "The School of Life" Starring Ryan Reynolds, David Paymer, Andrew Robb, Leila Johnson, and Shylo Sharity. A small-town history teacher with a different approach to teaching raises the suspicion of a stuffy biology teacher who's looking to win the "Teacher of the Year" award. Hip teacher Mr. D (Reynolds) doesn't just teach history, he lives it. His passion for the subject catches on with the students in his class, who think they're in for another boring year. Though the kids and the faculty all love Mr. D, biology teacher Matt Warner (Paymer) views the new teacher as another roadblock in his path to take the "Teacher of the Year" prize. The son of wildly popular educator Stormin' Norman, a man who had achieved the 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 footsteps. When Warner learns a secret about Mr. D that could bring the newly arrived teacher down and place Warner in just the right 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. This movie has a good combination of funny dialog, great dramatic acting from the cast and moments that keep you guessing.
    6merklekranz

    Plain vanilla fluff.......

    Ryan Reynolds goes "PG" rated and the results are an OK family flick. This film is certainly no "Van Wilder". I believe the fans of his more outrageous movies will probably be disappointed. David Paymer carries the film as the at first combative, and later understanding rival teacher. "School of Life" is definitely a message movie, clearly defining what interests the students, and what does not. Of course Ryan Reynolds methods are a reality stretch, but the point is made. As a heartwarming tale this only marginally succeeds, because everything is telegraphed, such as the final basketball game. It is what it is, plain vanilla fluff. - MERK
    10torky_marie

    Ryan Reynolds - A+

    I love this movie. I think Ryan Reynolds is one of the funniest actors ever. He has great wit and sarcasm. I would love to have a teacher like him! This movie was different than I thought it would be. The previews made me wanna see it really bad and so I watched it expecting something and I got that but also more. It kinda shows you that students aren't the only ones worried about their reputation or how they compare to other people. You kinda get to see that teachers can get jealous of each other too. There's a lot of movies about school and what happens but this is one of the best ones. I laughed, I cried, I watched it a million times!
    hunniebunnie656

    this film is spectacular

    i thought the film was brilliant some bits were sad and some funny. its fun to watch and i enjoyed it. Ryan Reynolds looks great in it and thats 1 reason why i watched the film but unfortunately he is engaged to Alanis Morissette DAMN IT never mind i can still like him. the film is moving and I'm sure most of you who have seen it would agree family entertainment be sure to watch it. if you have seen the film I'm sure you would agree its spectacular and Ryan Reynolds is fantastic in it as the cool teacher, and he looks absolutely gorgeous. the film is about two teachers who are competing for teacher of the year award, its a mixed film from comedy to sad i enjoyed it very much i have only seen it twice but i might buy the DVD if it comes out on DVD that is. people make sure you watch it will have a great effect on you. and it might effect on what you do. so how much time do you have not a lot
    noodlepie54

    i love this

    i saw this film by accident a few months ago, honestly only bothered watching it for Ryan Reynolds but now i love it, its so amazing, laugh out loud funny and heart breakingly sad without being mushy. And the kids in it are fantastic, i love the boy who tap dances in the basketball game, he cracks me up.

    I would recommend this to any Ryan Reynolds fan, he's an outstanding actor and an incredibly gifted comedian, and so gorgeous looking!!

    This film is full of great performances and likable characters and if it doesn't make you tear up just little then you have no soul!(only joking.but really, its sad)

    More like this

    The Great Gilly Hopkins
    6.5
    The Great Gilly Hopkins
    School of Life
    6.9
    School of Life
    Dreamer
    6.8
    Dreamer
    The Odyssey
    8.1
    The Odyssey
    The Confirmation
    6.4
    The Confirmation
    The Perfect Game
    6.9
    The Perfect Game
    Midnight Stallion
    5.3
    Midnight Stallion
    Romantically Speaking
    5.8
    Romantically Speaking
    Mr. Troop Mom
    4.4
    Mr. Troop Mom
    Finding Normal
    6.3
    Finding Normal
    Balloon Farm
    5.4
    Balloon Farm

    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, André Holland, Herman Caheej McGloun, Edson Jean, Alex R. Hibbert, and Tanisha Cidel in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family
    Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill in Moneyball (2011)
    Sport

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The movie has Mr. D's birthday being 1967, making him either 37 or 38 at the time of the movie. However, Ryan's birthday is Oct, 23, 1976, meaning he would have just turned 28 when the movie was released in February of 2005. This also makes this movie one of the few where Ryan plays a character older than himself.
    • Goofs
      When the teachers are sitting in front of the students at the beginning of the school year Mr. D has on red shoes. Then the next time you see him in the classroom he has on brown shoes. You can see them when he is sitting in the chair in the center of the circle.
    • Quotes

      Michael D'Angelo: How much time do we have?

      [students look at the clock]

      Michael D'Angelo: The answer to that question, you're not going to find on a clock. The answer is not a lot. How much time do we have? Not a lot.

    • Connections
      References The Addams Family (1964)
    • Soundtracks
      Trynna Finda Way
      Written by Nelly Furtado (as Furtado), Eaton & Brian West (as West)

      Performed by Nelly Furtado

      Used by permission of Nestar Publishing Inc.

      Courtesy of Dreamworks Records,

      Under License fron Universal Musiac Canada

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 19, 2005 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Canada
      • United States
    • Official site
      • ABC Family
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Вчитель року
    • Filming locations
      • Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Gynormous Pictures
      • School of Life Productions Inc.
      • Bouncing Betty Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 51m(111 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.