“Bad Teacher” is like the summertime version of “Bad Santa” but without the same booze-filled heart. Cameron Diaz tries to follow in Billy Bob Thornton’s footsteps but just isn’t quite dirty or foulmouthed enough to fill them.
Elizabeth Halsey (Cameron Diaz) is a junior high teacher who, after being dumped by her sugar daddy, tries to find a replacement man and fast. When a new hunky and rich substitute (Justin Timberlake) starts at the new school, Halsey tries to bag the meal ticket for herself. The problem is that a fellow teacher (Lucy Punch) has her eyes on the same prize, so the two stop at nothing to come out on top.
“Bad Teacher” has lot going for it. With “The Office” writing duo Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky driving the script and the cast of Diaz, Timberlake and Jason Segel, this movie should be a laugh a minute, but just about every minute feels forced and awkward.
One of the biggest problems is Diaz in the main role. She has made a career out of playing the sweet and innocent, sometimes ditzy blonde to much success. The beginning of her stardom began with one of the best comedies, “There’s Something About Mary.” Unfortunately, she just isn’t believable as the foulmouthed alcoholic with a soft spot for wealthy men. The volume of profanity that comes out of her mouth just screams, "Look at me. I can use the F word."
Timberlake is quickly proving himself as a comedic presence in Hollywood but is completely wasted in this role. When he and Diaz finally, sort of, consummate their relationship, it is quite funny due to the absurdity of the situation. I won’t give away the surprise of that moment. Segel steals the show in his meager role as the resident gym teacher. One of the best moments of the movie is when Segel argues with a student about who is a better basketball player, LeBron or Jordan.
The other problem is the pacing of the story. Much of the movie is about Diaz trying to get a boob job to help woo Timberlake. The first half of the movie is about her trying to find the money for the procedure but it isn’t that interesting. Once the back and forth between Diaz and Punch begins, the story actually finds its stride but it takes way too long to get there. I expected much more from the dynamic duo of “The Office.”
“Bad Teacher” is decent enough for a DVD rental but not quite worth the purchase price. If you’re inclined to give it a view, maybe tell your friend they should buy it and then watch it with them.
Special features on the Blu-ray release do include deleted scenes, outtakes, a "Raising More Funds" featurette and a few Blu-ray exclusives..