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Front of the Class

  • TV Movie
  • 2008
  • PG
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Front of the Class (2008)
BiographyDrama

Despite being challenged by Tourette Syndrome from a young age, Brad Cohen defies all odds to become a gifted teacher.Despite being challenged by Tourette Syndrome from a young age, Brad Cohen defies all odds to become a gifted teacher.Despite being challenged by Tourette Syndrome from a young age, Brad Cohen defies all odds to become a gifted teacher.

  • Director
    • Peter Werner
  • Writers
    • Thomas Rickman
    • Brad Cohen
    • Lisa Wysocky
  • Stars
    • James Wolk
    • Treat Williams
    • Dominic Scott Kay
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    11K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Peter Werner
    • Writers
      • Thomas Rickman
      • Brad Cohen
      • Lisa Wysocky
    • Stars
      • James Wolk
      • Treat Williams
      • Dominic Scott Kay
    • 49User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos29

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    Top Cast92

    Edit
    James Wolk
    James Wolk
    • Brad Cohen
    • (as Jimmy Wolk)
    Treat Williams
    Treat Williams
    • Norman Cohen
    Dominic Scott Kay
    Dominic Scott Kay
    • Young Brad Cohen
    Sarah Drew
    Sarah Drew
    • Nancy Lazarus
    Kathleen York
    Kathleen York
    • Diane
    Joe Chrest
    Joe Chrest
    • Jim Ovbey
    Patricia Heaton
    Patricia Heaton
    • Ellen Cohen
    Johnny Pacar
    Johnny Pacar
    • Jeff
    Charles Henry Wyson
    Charles Henry Wyson
    • Young Jeff
    Charlie Finn
    Charlie Finn
    • Ron
    Dianne Butler
    • Hilarie Straka
    Helen Ingebritsen
    Helen Ingebritsen
    • Susan
    Laura Whyte
    • Brenda
    Mike Pniewski
    Mike Pniewski
    • Principal Myer
    Michael H. Cole
    Michael H. Cole
    • Principal Fowler
    Katherine Shepler
    Katherine Shepler
    • Heather
    Bryce Wilkins
    • Gaylon
    Zack Miller
    • Thomas
    • Director
      • Peter Werner
    • Writers
      • Thomas Rickman
      • Brad Cohen
      • Lisa Wysocky
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews49

    8.110.7K
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    Featured reviews

    8tiffanyswift-01525

    I am currently a teacher and this melted my heart.

    It's a simple yet inspiring story,the adversities the protagonist met just like what everyone has to deal with in real life. The disappointment and despair when hunting for a job ,the issues with family, everything is just like going through life. Except that with his disability,he learned to understand more and care more,of course also fight harder for his dreams, really moving and encouraging.
    8arthur_tafero

    Best Handicapped Film Since The Miracle Worker - Front of the Class

    Yes, the film is a bit corny and goody-goody, and yes, it does resemble a Disney production. But in the end, it will make you a better person for having seen and understanding it. Tourette's Syndrome is not a joke as it is portrayed insensitively by South Part and Cartman; it is an incurable, miserable, handicap that requires an extremely resilient personality to withstand. Brad Cohen was that type of person; one who fought "his companion" tooth and nail for his entire young life. If you can't get inspired by this film, then there is probably very little in life that will ever inspire you. Like the films The Miracle Worker and My Left Foot, it is a story about beating overwhelming odds to gain entry into that most common of all societies; the every-day person of the work world. It is amazing what we all take for granted. After seeing this film, you might appreciate what you have in life a little bit more.
    8jb_campo

    Very Inspiring Story

    My wife told me I had to watch this movie with her because of how good it was. She was right! Front of the Class tells the inspiring story of Brad Cohen, based on the real life person. Brad (played by TV actor James Wolk) grows up in a broken family after his mom and dad divorce. Since his youth, Brad started making uncontrollable odd noises at random, with no ability to control them.

    His Mom, played wonderfully by Patricia Heaton (Raymond TV series), won't take the doctor's diagnosis of basically no explanation. She digs and digs and discovers Tourette's Syndrome, a neurological disease, with no cure. With unbelievable love and patience, much like Sally Fields in Forest Gump, she supports and encourages her son to pursue his dream of becoming a teacher.

    Brad goes through a tough time that demonstrates the ignorance of supposedly educated human beings as he interviews over and over for jobs in the education field. He has all the credentials from his studies - he needs a break.

    The film nicely weaves back and forth between the young Brad dealing with people not accepting him then, versus adults not accepting him as he's an adult. I can only imagine how frustrating this must have been.

    The movie also weaves in a complicated father/son relationship, nicely delivered by Treat Williams, a very strong performance.

    The ending will have you cheering, so yes, Hallmark movies are sappy. But this one will give you a nice warm heart. It's a perfect holiday movie to pick up your spirit and give you hope for a better world.

    See Front of the Class - you will enjoy it!
    10video_game_lover_122

    with a person with tourettes, this movie moved me.

    one word to describe it. Wow.

    Front of the class is about the true story of a kid with tourettes who's lifelong goal is to become a teacher but has to overcome his obstacles with tourettes. with a dad that never accepted him as a son, kids who don't know anything about the desease and all the things in between but what made this movie great was the determination to not only people with tourettes or a disability but people who dog you by saying your no good for this or you will never amount to anything. the movie has good acting and the determination that goes along with the movie and the cast is top notch. this movie has heart, and with a guy that has tourette syndrome, i could relate and it kept me keeping all hope going and pursue my dreams. defiantly worth a watch if your curious about tourettes, or just a great drama that sucks you in.

    10/10. HIGHLY recommended.
    8burchett-99523

    Great depiction of Tourette's

    My whole family loved this movie. It was nice to see an inspiring movie with a great message. Loved it.

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    Related interests

    Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)
    Biography
    Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, André Holland, Herman Caheej McGloun, Edson Jean, Alex R. Hibbert, and Tanisha Cidel in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The real Brad Cohen appears as an extra in the film during the school orchestra recital as a teacher standing at the back of the hall in a colorful tie.
    • Quotes

      Brad Cohen: I get that look a lot, but I never let it get to me.

    • Connections
      Edited into Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)
    • Soundtracks
      Baby, Don't Forget My Number
      Performed by Milli Vanilli

      Sung by Sarah Drew and James Wolk

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 7, 2008 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Hallmark Hall of Fame: Front of the Class (#58.1)
    • Filming locations
      • Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
    • Production companies
      • Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions
      • McGee Street Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 35m(95 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1
      • 1.78 : 1 / (letterbox)

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