Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Hugh Jackman | ... | Frank Tassone | |
Ray Romano | ... | Big Bob Spicer | |
Welker White | ... | Mary Ann | |
Allison Janney | ... | Pam Gluckin | |
Annaleigh Ashford | ... | Jenny Aquila | |
Stephanie Kurtzuba | ... | Carol Schweitzer | |
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Calvin Coakley | ... | Chad Schweitzer |
Geraldine Viswanathan | ... | Rachel Bhargava | |
Sung Yun Cho | ... | Joyce - First Agent | |
Justin Swain | ... | Shawn - Second Agent | |
Laura Patinkin | ... | Irene - Third Agent | |
Kathrine Narducci | ... | Sharon Katz | |
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Brent Langdon | ... | Todhunter - First Teacher |
Tia DeShazor | ... | Maya - Second Teacher (as Tia De Shazor) | |
Victor Verhaeghe | ... | Doug Bressler |
A Long Island school superintendent and his assistant are credited with bringing the district unprecedented prestige. Frank is a master of positive messaging, whether before an audience of community leaders or in an office with a concerned student or parent. That changes when a student reporter uncovers an embezzlement scheme of epic proportions, prompting Frank to devise an elaborate cover-up.
This movie is much more than the famous early 21st century scandal and the actors chosen to portray their respective roles are undoubtedly best placed in every moment.
For me, this movie was not just about embezzlement of funds but more than that, the two minutes of agony that Dr. Frank Tassone(Hugh Jackman) had against the system and the world was the highlight. Although shown as a negative character, I could empathise with the actions taken by a public school teacher and how frustrating it is to be a part of a system where people instead of appreciating their mentors, forget and move on in their lives.
The movie is about the mindset that the people in public service develop over-time, which is what compels them to do things that even they consider heinous. A frsutrated person tries to reason out with himself that his actions are justified and this is what drills him deeper into an abyss of negligence from which it is unable to crawl out.
It all comes down to the role that we are expected to play in this world. We often forget the small, yet significant contribution of some people in our lives. That is why we should appreciate the people who help us in becoming who we are today, otherwise the other Dr. Frank-s won't have an option but to repeat the history again and again