Review of Detachment (2011) by Weaam M — 10 Aug 2013

After a hit with American History X, Tony Kaye still has it. Detachment is a scathing view of the education system, with deteriorating enthusiasm from both teachers and students. Adrien Brody plays a detached substitute teacher who refuses to stay on at schools for too long so he can keep people back at an arm's length. Also present is a myriad of glimpses into the dean, other teachers, students, and a runaway teen prostitute.

Mixing different camera styles to mix it up works in my opinion. A teacher inspiring an uninspired classroom is a genre all its own, so Tony Kaye mixes it up with chalkboard stop motion animation and talking to the camera monologues.

The acting is what really stands out in this film. Adrien Brody shows his broody side, but also intensity when he yells at a health care provider. Lucy Liu and James Caan get very small roles, but also get some juicy bits when they have outbursts with some unruly students. A few others (Blythe Danner, Tim Blake Nelson, Marcia Gay Harden) are present but do not get to leave an imprint.

At times the film seems a bit overly depressing and than too sentimental in the next, but Detachment is an emotionally charged and imagery filled drama with very strong performances.