Review of The Faculty (1998) by Everett J — 22 Mar 2009

The Faculty.

Directed by Robert Rodriguez.

Written by Kevin Williamson, David Wechter, Bruce Kimmel.

Starring Elijah Wood, Josh Harnett, Jordana Brewster, Bebe Neuwirth, Famke Janssen, Laura Harris, Clea Duvall, Salma Hayek, Robert Patrick, Usher Raymond, Piper Laurie, Shawn Hatosy, Jon Stewart.

Things are just a little bit weird at Herrington High. The members of the faculty are not quite themselves and it takes a band of misfits to sort out what has been happening to the school.

Marybeth Louise Hutchinson (Harris) has moved from Atlanta after her parents died in a car crash. She?s bubbly, exceedingly inquisitive and comes across as slightly naive. Her outsider status causes her to be drawn to others like her and she quickly becomes part of a group comprised of those who don?t fit into any other group. There is Stokely Mitchell (Duvall), a malcontent with a tinge of both goth and industrial in her personal aesthetic. She?s big on science fiction and generally comes across as the most literate minded of the group. Zeke Tyler (Harnett) is a capable student who decides to apply his many talents to creating a mini scientific lab in his garage where he creates a drug that produces giddiness and euphoria. He sells it all over school at $5 a hit. Casey Connor (Wood) is a bit of a runt who gets routinely bashed about and possesses little self esteem. Stan Rosado (Hatosy) is the captain and quarterback of the football team who quits two days before a big game. Delilah Profitt (Brewster) is the head cheerleader and editor of the school newspaper. She?s caustic and insulting to just about anyone she senses to be beneath her.

The staff and teachers quickly become infected by a parasite which spreads and takes over every facet of their being but ultimately turns them into more relaxed, less neurotic versions of themselves. In turn the student body is also infected and a serious threat exists that the infestation will spread outwardly potentially effecting every community worldwide.

The teachers fall one by one until there is not one left that hasn?t been turned into an alien. Casey and Delilah see the school nurse Rosa Harper infected as well as the body of a dried out older teacher who has been stuffed in the closet where the students hide to avoid discovery. Nobody believes their story and things continue on as normal with no one the wiser. The faculty are able to cover up the assault on Nurse Harper because she emerges able to present herself in the same calm, warm manner she always has.

The idea here that the aliens create more vibrant, more exciting and capable versions of individuals is certainly an intriguing one. The possibilities with such a scenario are truly endless as the concept of the ubermensch might become the norm thereby creating societies where the entire population functions on an accelerated level with no fear, anxiety or other ?negative? emotional states. It?s an appealing concept and one that suggests a wholly benign force of alien invaders with the sole intent on improving humanity by increasing abundance.

The school is typical in that there are numerous cliques in place that maintain order and keep people in their place. There is a suggestion that the alien invasion has upset the balance of this order and created a more egalitarian landscape populated by individuals who are accepted on their own terms. This ideal state is ultimately celebrated in the film as the concept of the outsider is eradicated and in its place a more nurturing environment is erected. In a real sense individuality is crushed as there are no longer any boundaries in place to fight against. Surly, disagreeable sorts become content. Unruly adolescents buy into the team mind set and everyone suddenly fits in.

Terrifying sexuality is openly displayed throughout the film. Principal Valerie Drake (Neuwirth) is an intoxicating beauty who wields her power like an axe. She is buttoned up and projects a frigid sensuality that is wholly threatening in its promises. Miss Elizabeth Burke, a teacher, is practically frothing at the mouth with an urgent, pulsating sexuality once she is infected with the parasite. In one scene she approaches Zeke like a huntress cornering her prey. She is incessant, volatile, and mesmerizing in her raw, unadulterated need.

It?s ironic that it takes a group of ?alien? students to reveal the truth about what has been taking place at their school. These kids have not altogether abandoned the spark of ingenuity that keeps them apart from the majority of activity that takes place between the lines. They are disillusioned about the confining nature of the highschool experience and are all seeking a way out of the doldrums they must endure every day of the school year.

It?s never too clear as to why Delilah has gravitated toward this group considering how she holds the other members in utter contempt. She appears to have it all and has readily accepted her role of influence over the school yet she remains actively engaged in the pursuance of the truth. She has neither abandoned her role or attempted to fixate upon another one.

The performances in this film are routinely excellent. Josh Harnett comes across as a typically disaffected youth who uses his considerable talents for enterprise far outside the school?s boundaries. Laura Harris drips of honey dew and marmalade as the devastatingly sweet transplant whose enthusiasm carries forth for much of the duration of the film. Bebe Neuwirth is as mentioned sex on a stick. She possesses a wicked charm that would, be it 1954, warrant a great number of paddlings at her nimble hands. She is the ultra fantasy school authority and she takes full advantage of the fear every male in the school feels toward her. Famke Janssen carries her scenes with the type of allure that drives little boys trying to be men completely insane. Janssen gives the type of sexual performance that drives critics out of their minds as well. It?s all in the way her eyes penetrate, bore holes through, whatever she?s looking at. Elijah Wood is convincing as the lowly shrimp who leads the team toward their ultimate discovery. Wood establishes his character?s unfortunate state early on.

Overall, this film is rife with intriguing ideas. It?s fast and funny and contains a great number of decent special effects. The characters work well together and the essential mystery is handled with the appropriate amount appreciation for its inherent sense of wonder. These kids all seem real enough and there is enough diversity between them to keep the film worth watching. It is supremely sexy throughout and this has everything to do with casting and costume design. The film makers know how to take advantage of certain actresses natural beauty and accentuate it with the right clothing. Also posture plays a massive role in conveying the sexuality on display in this film. The women here just know how to stand, where to put their hands, and how to cock their heads for the right effect.