Review of Bad Teacher (2011) by James W — 27 Mar 2014

One of the best comedies of 2011, Bad Teacher shows Cameron Diaz at her absolute comedic best as Elizabeth Halsey, a recently dumped gold-digger who is forced to go back into teaching to earn money in order to get a boob job that will eventually win her the attention of richer men so she can go back to her old ways.

Director Jake Kasdan keeps the mood upbeat and bright, there's energy and an always present sense of fun, and it works so well with the dirty comedy and raunchy moments performed to perfection by an enormous all star cast.

You will laugh your head off at how bad the teacher in question is, Diaz is great at sarcasm, ignorance, self indulgence and fits the role perfectly as Elizabeth Halsey, a horrible yet strangely likeable character who shocks at every turn.

Lucy Punch is the scene stealer in the supporting cast as Amy Squirrel, the weirdest character you'll ever watch, her phrases such as "Hey, I'm a math terrorist with close ties to Algebra, I have weapons of math instruction!" will make you howl with laughter.

Timberlake proves himself as a funny guy, playing Halsey's money-love interest who is some sort of nature and nurture lover. This is a school filled with great characters and some shocking behaviour, and not from the students.

Here is one giant thumbs up to Cameron Diaz, Lucy Punch, Justin Timberlake, Jason Segel, Phyllis Smith, John Michael Higgins, Jillian Armenante, Dave Allen and all the young actors and actresses, a well rounded cast truly do this movie comedy justice.