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School of Life

  • TV Movie
  • 2005
  • PG
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
6.6K
YOUR RATING
David Paymer, Ryan Reynolds, Leila Johnson, Andrew Robb, and Shylo Sharity in 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
  • Photos23

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    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
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    Featured reviews

    10Jnn7983

    Excellent Movie

    This movie shows people that first impressions are not always correct. At the beginning Mr. Matt Warner thought that Mr.D. had it all looks, charm, and everyone everywhere seem to love him. After he found out a secret about Mr. D. he realized that a person who takes the time to care for others even when they have their own problems is truly special. This movie is heartwarming and loving. Some people said the movie was not good, I respect their opinions. I however, could not wait to see this movie. If this movie ever comes out on video or DVD I will be buying it. The movie just showed how the human spirit can inspire people and u can find inspiration in people u would not think of finding it in.
    Marion88

    Fantastic High school comedy with great tear jerking moments

    School of life is just perfect: the acting is wonderful, the script has just the right mix of tears and laughter, the music is great, and the directing is outstanding (you don't notice it, you actually completely forget about it and follow the story and the characters, which is exactly what every director should try to achieve. If you notice the directing, the magic is gone, the film is bad). A high school biology teacher (comedy genius David Paymer) wants to be the best teacher of the year to honor the memory of his just deceased father. But here comes the coolest trendiest sexiest young teacher any high school has ever seen (Ryan Reynolds). And the old teacher's life is ruined: he goes literally mad! The story is told from the point of view of a 13 year old, the old teacher's son who happens to a-dore the young teacher, making his father's life miserable at home too. You may ask: does the teacher's wife sleep with the young teacher: no, she doesn't. This is a good film, remember. See it, you will love it.
    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!
    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.
    10spikesbuffybot02

    Not enough. That's how much time we have--not enough

    I have to admit that the reason I wanted to catch this movie was just because Ryan Reynolds was in it...but after seeing it I was just blown away. He was great, as usual, and the story itself was very moving. I'm not a crier at all...but this movie had me in tears, yet at the same time Reynolds had some of the funniest lines so it was a great mix of both. It's a movie for the whole family, and it'll really have a lasting affect on anyone who sees it...I know it did on me. I've seen it 12 times in a 3 day span and have yet to grow sick of it. School of Life is definitely one of the best films I've seen in a long time and I hope they release it on DVD because I just might wear a hole in my VHS ^_^

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family
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    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: Education is truly a hero's journey, and it seems to me that going to school is a lot like a Star Wars movie. You're all Luke Skywalkers or Lucy Skywalkers, whichever applies, and school is just one of the many places that you're going to receive your Jedi training. Because we need to get ready to go do battle against the Evil Empire. Now, the Evil Empire is not our school, our parents, or even the questionable meat products in the cafeteria. No. You see, the Evil Empire is a belief. It's believing that we have limitations. You don't. Whether you realize it or not, every single one of you is perfect. Norman Warner was my Jedi Master, and the greatest lesson that he taught me was that I was my own teacher, I was my own master. And the lesson that I hope to teach all of you is to not worry about what you're doing, because it doesn't matter. Worry about who you are being. You do that, and there's absolutely nothing stopping you from going out in this world and kicking some serious ass.

    • 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

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    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

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