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The English Teacher

  • 2013
  • R
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
14K
YOUR RATING
Julianne Moore in The English Teacher (2013)
 An English teacher's life is disrupted when a former student returns to her small town after failing as a playwright in New York.
Play trailer2:27
2 Videos
99+ Photos
Coming-of-AgeQuirky ComedyComedyDrama

An English teacher's life is disrupted when a former student returns to her small town after failing as a playwright in New York.An English teacher's life is disrupted when a former student returns to her small town after failing as a playwright in New York.An English teacher's life is disrupted when a former student returns to her small town after failing as a playwright in New York.

  • Director
    • Craig Zisk
  • Writers
    • Dan Chariton
    • Stacy Chariton
  • Stars
    • Julianne Moore
    • Michael Angarano
    • Greg Kinnear
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.8/10
    14K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Craig Zisk
    • Writers
      • Dan Chariton
      • Stacy Chariton
    • Stars
      • Julianne Moore
      • Michael Angarano
      • Greg Kinnear
    • 52User reviews
    • 38Critic reviews
    • 42Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos2

    The English Teacher
    Trailer 2:27
    The English Teacher
    The English Teacher
    Trailer 2:25
    The English Teacher
    The English Teacher
    Trailer 2:25
    The English Teacher

    Photos113

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    Top cast41

    Edit
    Julianne Moore
    Julianne Moore
    • Linda Sinclair
    Michael Angarano
    Michael Angarano
    • Jason Sherwood
    Greg Kinnear
    Greg Kinnear
    • Dr. Tom Sherwood
    Lily Collins
    Lily Collins
    • Halle Anderson
    Nathan Lane
    Nathan Lane
    • Carl Kapinas
    Norbert Leo Butz
    Norbert Leo Butz
    • Phil Pelaski…
    Jessica Hecht
    Jessica Hecht
    • Principal Trudie Slocum
    Charlie Saxton
    Charlie Saxton
    • Will
    Nikki Blonsky
    Nikki Blonsky
    • Sheila Nussbaum
    Fiona Shaw
    Fiona Shaw
    • Narrator
    Sophie Lane Curtis
    Sophie Lane Curtis
    • Fallon Hughes
    • (as Sophie Curtis)
    Brynn Casey
    • Linda…
    Katie Meinholt
    • Linda…
    Anthony Ippolito
    Anthony Ippolito
    • Blowdried Jock
    John Hodgman
    John Hodgman
    • Unmotivated Man
    Remy Auberjonois
    Remy Auberjonois
    • Arrogan Man
    Jim Breuer
    Jim Breuer
    • Narcissist Man
    Poonam Basu
    Poonam Basu
    • Kirthi
    • Director
      • Craig Zisk
    • Writers
      • Dan Chariton
      • Stacy Chariton
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews52

    5.813.5K
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    Featured reviews

    10jayraskin

    Best Literate Comedy Since the Jane Austen Book Club

    I was captivated by this movie and laughed from beginning to end.

    I do not get the people who did not like this movie. They say nasty things and say nothing about the movie. Did any of them even watch the movie? They all deserve an "F". Yes, everybody who hates this movie gets an "F" in good taste and an "F" in life. Now, go back to High School and learn what you didn't learn when you first attended.

    For the rest of us, especially those of us in the teaching profession, this is a gem. Not since Neil Simon retired have we had such sharply drawn characters and such sweet and gentle self mocking humor. It is both English teaching and High School theater that gets gently ridiculed. Yet, underneath the humor there is a real understanding of the importance of both subjects in our curriculum.

    Any humanist, Jane Austin fan, Julianne Moore fan or theater lover will appreciate this movie. Go for it.
    Gordon-11

    A sympathetic teacher

    This film tells the story of an unmarried female teacher who is in trouble after an alumnus playwright goes back to her school for a school play.

    Julienne Moore often plays challenging characters, and this English teacher is no different. She faces loneliness, shame and embarrassment; yet deep down she is a good person who does teenagers much good. I sympathize with her experience, and I thought she did not deserve such bullying. I liked the ending a lot, although I thought the film could have done without the narration of the voice that tells her what to do and what not to do.

    The story is told in a comedic manner, hence I enjoyed watching it.
    6SnoopyStyle

    a little funny

    Lifelong reader Linda Sinclair (Julianne Moore) is a 45 year old high school English teacher in Kingston, Pennsylvania. She's a spinster and has given up on men. Former student Jason Sherwood (Michael Angarano) has returned home as a failed writer in New York. She is taken with his play and drama teacher Carl Kapinas (Nathan Lane) is excited to do it. She judges Jason's dad Dr. Tom Sherwood (Greg Kinnear) to be unsupportive. Student Halle Anderson (Lily Collins) is the lead actress.

    It's marginally funny. A flustered Julianne is somewhat funny. I'm not sure about Angarano although he has that slacker vibe which works in the role. I don't think I like his character. As for the plot, I doubt that Linda can be fired for that. He's in his twenties. It's not even a scandal. Julianne is hot. There's no reason not to. I just hope that Halle is not underage. The morality is all twisted although Halle's words do come back into play. Linda is forced to eat too much crow.
    6esub44

    A decent small film with good performances from the Leads

    First of all watch the film, then make up your own mind, I can't stand people who come on here and give bland one or two word reviews. Its a small budget film which centers around a returning high school grad and an English teacher trying to help him succeed and reminding him to keep at his dream of becoming a playwright in New York. Its films like this that make me want to continue watching films, they center around characters, story and actual acting. If you want gimmicks and explosions with no point then go play a computer game or watch a Michael Bay film.

    Okay so this film isn't the best you'll ever see but its decent.
    8Nobby21

    I liked it

    I think it was nicely done. I am very anti cuss words but, The occasional cuss word in this film were perfectly placed and funny. I have a soft spot for Nathan Lane and his inclusion was the main reason I put aside an hour or so to watch this movie. He was brilliant as a play director. I think the casting department did a fabulous job with everyone. I had the distinct feeling the cast were good friends off camera. The story was unique despite a couple of cliché moments and I didn't notice any lighting of camera errors, no mikes hanging in view, editing smoothly done. I am having trouble finding fault, so let's say it was over too soon. Oh, I hoped for the ending, and I got it.

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    Related interests

    Elsie Fisher in Eighth Grade (2018)
    Coming-of-Age
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    Quirky Comedy
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    Comedy
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    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Lily Collins (Halle Anderson) previously costarred with other actors from this movie: Nathan Lane (Carl Kapinas) in Mirror Mirror (2012) and Greg Kinnear (Dr. Tom Sherwood) in Stuck in Love. (2012), in which both films came out the same year.
    • Goofs
      When Linda and Jason are first in the boys dressing room discussing the play, there is a poster behind Linda which is misspelled - it reads KIGNSTON PLAYERS.
    • Quotes

      [first lines]

      Narrator: Linda Sinclair had reached her 45th year, an unwed high school English teacher, with no prospect of marriage. Hers appeared to be a rather ordinary life, one of discipline, frugality, small indignities. Modest hopes, and disappointments.

    • Crazy credits
      In the beginning of the end credits, select letters A through D, and one I, are capitalized and circled, as if grades were being assigned.
    • Soundtracks
      Norgaard
      Written by Árni Árnason, Freddie Cowan, Pete Robertson, and Justin Haywood Young

      Performed by The Vaccines

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    FAQ17

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 1, 2013 (Greece)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • İngilizce Hocası
    • Filming locations
      • Tarrytown, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Artina Films
      • Mirabelle Pictures Productions
      • Mirabelle Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $104,810
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $6,001
      • May 19, 2013
    • Gross worldwide
      • $320,013
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 33m(93 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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