Assuming that this movie shares similarities with the correspondingly titled Bad Santa is apt; both are films that seek to lampoon or otherwise denigrate figures in positions that are normally seen as imperative to the development of a child.
If you can respect one thing about this movie, it’s that it absolutely delivers on the title’s promise; Cameron Diaz is about the worst teacher you can imagine, primarily because she hates the occupation and refuses to try. This simple notion is never betrayed throughout the film, except in moments where she finds that an undisputed benefit can be gained through the manipulation of her student’s grades and learning.
A side commentary could be made about the failure of the academic process; when Diaz’ character is attempting to indoctrinate her students, you can see the same sort of pandering that you no doubt have experienced in the educational system, where a teacher’s method is to bombard their students with facts free from application in everyday life with the ultimate goal of getting them to succeed only in the realm of standardized testing.
To assume this is the point is merely folly; the film exists first and foremost to make the audience laugh, and it definitely succeeds on more than a few levels. While Diaz exploits her comedic talents, she is met blow-for-blow by Jason Segel, a character who genuinely enjoys what he does while refusing to take it seriously. He is placed as the antithesis of Justin Timberlake’s character; the famous singer and improving actor plays against type as a decidedly unsaavy nerd who nevertheless possesses some ability in the filth department. Indeed, one of the most hilarious moments in the movie threatens to break the fourth wall as much as it parades as just another humorously improvised scene; Segel’s character tears down Timberlake’s with sarcasm, and it’s impossible to tell if Segel is toying with Timberlake’s level of improvisation or if it’s just a scene where he was supposed to mock his naïvety.
Where Bad Santa had heart, this film is decidedly a bit staler, perhaps as a product of its attempt to ape the Apatow method of incorporating improvisation based on a simple model. The method, however, is not to fault; while the movie is certainly funny, it fails to deliver laughs as consistently as the films of the decidedly raunchy comedy magnate. In spite of this, the originality of the concept and the expected level of humor make this effort ultimately worth your time.
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