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Gym Teacher: The Movie (NR, 2008)

common sense media says

Underdog sports comedy has a bit of edge to it.

parents & educators say
  • 33% say sexual content is an issue
  • 33% say there are positive role models
See all 8 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this made-for-TV movie touches on themes like teamwork, perseverance, and self-perception and examines what it means to be a winner. There's some poor sportsmanship and bullying (tweens tease a classmate, putting him down and throwing things at him), but it could prompt family discussions about respecting others and being tolerant of differences. Expect some sexual inferences (a woman's flirtatious remarks about a man's chiseled physique, a tween couple's one brief kiss, one teacher's mild fantasies about another) and name-calling. One of the co-stars, Amy Sedaris, has a reputation as an edgy comedienne.

Positive messages: Tweens and adults use terms like "spaz," "freak," and "weirdo" to generalize groups of students. Students bully a classmate who's different, but in the end, they pull together as a team. A teacher briefly plots to get a student expelled so he doesn't have to coach him (at the suggestion of another adult). An adult and a kid conspire to deceive the kid's mom to prevent her from worrying. Plenty of poor sportsmanship along the way, but overall has positive themes of perseverance and respecting others.
Violence & scariness: In one scene, a woman repeatedly hits a man with a stick, but it's played for laughs. A boy is said to suffer bruised ribs after falling from a climbing rope in gym class.
Sexy stuff: Some suggestive comments by a female principal to a male gym teacher about his muscular physique (she's very clearly interested in him). A male teacher fantasizes about a female teacher (he imagines her as a lithe female gymnast). A tween romance culminates in one quick kiss. In one scene, a man implies that another is homosexual and remarks, "The sight of you makes my butt itch."
Language: Limited use of words like "butt" and "loser." References are made to training bras and jock straps.
Consumerism: Wheaties cereal is mentioned a few times.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The main character and his friends hang out at a place that resembles a bar, but the drinks of choice are health shakes.
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More on Gym Teacher: The Movie

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about bullying and self-image. Kids: Have you ever been the victim of a bully? How does it affect your self esteem? What can people do to improve their self esteem? What are your own personal strengths? Families can also discuss setting and meeting goals. What goals do you have for your life? Why are they important to you? How do your past experiences affect your determination to meet goals? What steps have you taken (or will you take) to ensure that you're successful? How will you measure your success?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Dave Stewie (Christopher Meloni) is a former world-class gymnast who turned to teaching physical education after his gold-medal dreams were crushed by a collision with a vaulting horse two decades ago. Now living in obscurity at Hamm Lake Middle School, gym teacher extraordinaire Stewie gets a chance to redeem himself (and nab a long-coveted spot on a Wheaties box) in the national Gym Teacher of the Year competition. The biggest hurdle between him and the prize turns out to be Roland Waffle (Nathan Kress). the klutzy new student who's determined to toss aside his own insecurities -- and his omnipresent safety helmet -- and prove himself among Stewie's more seasoned team members.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
GYM TEACHER: THE MOVIE is a thoroughly entertaining comedy. Meloni steps outside his usual (and acclaimed) dramatic roles to steal the show with his portrayal of the stereotypical whistle-blowing, knee socks-wearing, super-motivated gym coach. The movie's take on the entire school dynamic -- from batty Principal Hoffman (Amy Sedaris), whose crush on Stewie is neither secretive nor mutual, to Stewie's bitter rivalry with the irksome cross-town coach played by David Alan Grier -- is equally funny. Adults in particular will revel in Stewie's struggles to reconcile the disappointments of his past and seek personal redemption in a next-best-thing competition.

Comedy aside, Gym Teacher also has some surprisingly poignant moments and touches on issues like accepting differences, respecting others, building self-esteem, and fulfilling goals -- all of which can prompt worthwhile family discussions.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Sony Pictures
Director: Paul Dinello
Cast: Amy Sedaris, Christopher Meloni, Nathan Kress
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 103 minutes
Theatrical release: September 22, 2008
DVD release: February 3, 2009
MPAA Rating: NR
This review was written by Emily Ashby
 
 

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What parents & educators say

8
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say sexual content is an issue
  • 33% say there are positive role models
  • 33% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say it's educational
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Most useful reviews by all members

stereohearts
kid, 11 years old
17
 
noo
sounds stupid and boring a no no for me
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (5)
caffinegirl85
educator
7
 
nice movie
i have the dvd and yeah i liked it its about a boy that is unpopular but soon he fits in by joining the gym class the movie says Tv Y7 so it must be a movie for preteens or teenagers any age doesn't matter there's nothing wrong with the movie no bad language no sexual stuff just a good movie for a kid or your kid to see
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)
Justino4
teen, 14 years old
7
 
Dirty Principal
The only reason I recommend this movie to be PG is that the principal in the movie kept cracking somewhat sexual jokes towards the gym teacher.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (5)
Coraline Jackson
teen, 14 years old
10
 
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
Drlrocks
kid, 9 years old
7
 
Okay, but my brother loved it
Roland is terrible at gym and he thinks he will never be good at gym but at the end he help his team win
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
icarly 101
teen, 14 years old
6
 
LAME!!!!!!
very lame boring suckish.... DO NOT WATCH!!!
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
sdwqasswdsed
parent of 18 year old
9
 
yeah
the kissing has to go
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
pistachio33
parent of 11 year old
8
 
funnier than I expected
Our family (3 generations) enjoyed watching this movie. The lead character was entertaining and really engaging. I appreciated that it wasn't polished, the ackward moments kept it real.
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (3)

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