Parents' Guide to About a Teacher

Written and directed by the real Hanan Harchol, based on his own experiences, this sometimes awkward but ultimately earnest and moving drama transcends the usual "teacher movie" clichés. Clearly inspired by the school of documentary-like realism, About a Teacher is plain-looking and too long, and has too much shaky-cam footage. It sometimes reaches too far, as in Harchol's regular lunches with his father. And characters are sometimes short-changed, like one student who does nothing but put on her makeup in class. But through it all, the movie really does build toward something positive and touching.

Tiefenbach gives an honest performance, and when Harchol connects with a student, his joy and relief are palpable. The students come to life, too, as we begin to hear their matter-of-fact stories: One has a daughter at home and works two jobs, one was beaten by her mother's boyfriend, one is a troublemaker who eventually becomes the class's top student. Harchol provides many rich details, from the insane school policies and paperwork to things like a missing camera. None of these are used for melodrama, but simply to reveal more about the situation. Ultimately, About a Teacher is a relevant, even necessary movie about making connections where they might seem impossible.