The Kindergarten Teacher

Parental Rating: R

Contains: Language    Nudity    Adult Content    

Jill's Review

Opens October 12, 2018 (in theatres and on Netflix)

Runs 96 minutes

Lisa (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is a married mother of two and a caring kindergarten teacher. She is also an aspiring poet, taking poetry classes at night. However, her poetry is never very well-received. When one of her students, Jimmy (Parker Sevak) shows an affinity for writing poetry well beyond his years, Lisa becomes obsessed with his natural talent. In fact, she thinks he just might be a prodigy. Lisa dotes extra attention on Jimmy and wants to share his talent with others. However, her obsession soon crosses the boundary of what is appropriate and reflects what a damaged person Lisa really is.

This was not my favorite movie. Maggie Gyllenhaal is great, as always. And Parker Sevak is just adorable. But, the film is very slow. There are scenes that just feel inappropriate. It is hard to see how a caring teacher like Lisa would suddenly go to the lengths she does to try to promote Jimmy's talent. The film felt off to me. Anyway, great acting but a little disturbing. I would skip it.

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