Teaching Mrs. Tingle is a prime example of the black comedy genre of cinema. The story is about three students who hold a much-hated teacher hostage over a period of about two days. Teaching Mrs. Tingle was written by Kevin Williamson, who also directed. Kudos to him for writing the hilariously witty and dark script! Kudos to him for his wonderfully fast-paced direction that keeps the film whirling like lightning!
The story is simple¡Äa group of high school seniors hold an evil teacher hostage after shooting her with an arrow and tying her to her own bed. Well, maybe it¡Çs not so simple, but it certainly is a great deal of fun. Who cares if it¡Çs a bit, okay very, unrealistic? Isn¡Çt that what a black comedy is all about?
The film starts when Leigh Ann Watson is just finishing a six month history project which chronicles a young girl during the Salem Witch Hunts. She is living in a small town, but is at the top of her class. However, Leigh Ann desperately needs to become Valedictorian in order to attend college and become her dream¡Äa writer. Only one thing stands in her way---the history teacher hates her. Later that day, a dirt bag classmate approaches her with a copy of Tingle¡Çs final exam so she can pass and become valedictorian. Having never cheated in her life, she refuses. He slips the exam in her bag any way. And can you just guess who walks in? Mrs. Tingle! As Leigh Ann, her friend Jo Lynn, and Luke, the boy who gave her the exam, walk out, Tingle grabs the exam from Leigh Ann¡Çs bag. ¡ÈThe smartest girl in school caught cheating,¡É snarls Tingle. ¡ÈIt¡Çll be scandalous!¡É
Later that night, the three seniors go to Mrs. Tingle¡Çs home to try to explain. Both Jo Lynn and Luke are willing to be expelled as long as Leigh Ann can get out of the trouble. First, Jo Lynn, also an aspiring actress, goes and rings the bell. She gets a bit carried away in her performance, and Tingle doesn¡Çt buy it, shutting the door rudely in her face. Leigh Ann goes next to talk to her. She is permitted to enter the abode. The door is left a crack open, and Luke and Jo Lynn enter.
After Jo Lynn accidentally shoots Mrs. Tingle with a student¡Çs project ¡Èmedieval crossbow,¡É she is knocked out cold. The three carry her up to her room and tie her to the bed. For the next two days, they try to reason with her, in a cynically hilarious manner. All this leads to a suspenseful conclusion.
The entire cast gives knowing performances. Leigh Ann is played by Dawson¡Çs Creek star Katie Holmes. Barry Watson, of 7th Heaven, plays Luke, and Marisa Coughlan steals most of her scenes as the Marilyn Monroe wannabe Jo Lynn. Helen Mirren dominates the screen with her fiery and fierce portrayal of Mrs. Tingle, and when the four stars get together, the rapport amongst them is fantastic! Vivica A. Fox has a small role as a guidance councilor in the school, but Molly Ringwald has one of the funniest cameos as a substitute teacher. And how can anyone forget Liz Strauber, as suck up Trudie Tucker? What a cast!
The problem too many people have with this film, and ones like it, is the fact that they take it too seriously. Obviously, it¡Çs a fantasy Kevin Williamson had in school, and art reflects life. I¡Çm not generally a fan of modern films, usually opting for the classics of the 30s, 40s, and 50s, but Teaching Mrs. Tingle is a welcomed exception. What a fantastic black comedy!
The story is simple¡Äa group of high school seniors hold an evil teacher hostage after shooting her with an arrow and tying her to her own bed. Well, maybe it¡Çs not so simple, but it certainly is a great deal of fun. Who cares if it¡Çs a bit, okay very, unrealistic? Isn¡Çt that what a black comedy is all about?
The film starts when Leigh Ann Watson is just finishing a six month history project which chronicles a young girl during the Salem Witch Hunts. She is living in a small town, but is at the top of her class. However, Leigh Ann desperately needs to become Valedictorian in order to attend college and become her dream¡Äa writer. Only one thing stands in her way---the history teacher hates her. Later that day, a dirt bag classmate approaches her with a copy of Tingle¡Çs final exam so she can pass and become valedictorian. Having never cheated in her life, she refuses. He slips the exam in her bag any way. And can you just guess who walks in? Mrs. Tingle! As Leigh Ann, her friend Jo Lynn, and Luke, the boy who gave her the exam, walk out, Tingle grabs the exam from Leigh Ann¡Çs bag. ¡ÈThe smartest girl in school caught cheating,¡É snarls Tingle. ¡ÈIt¡Çll be scandalous!¡É
Later that night, the three seniors go to Mrs. Tingle¡Çs home to try to explain. Both Jo Lynn and Luke are willing to be expelled as long as Leigh Ann can get out of the trouble. First, Jo Lynn, also an aspiring actress, goes and rings the bell. She gets a bit carried away in her performance, and Tingle doesn¡Çt buy it, shutting the door rudely in her face. Leigh Ann goes next to talk to her. She is permitted to enter the abode. The door is left a crack open, and Luke and Jo Lynn enter.
After Jo Lynn accidentally shoots Mrs. Tingle with a student¡Çs project ¡Èmedieval crossbow,¡É she is knocked out cold. The three carry her up to her room and tie her to the bed. For the next two days, they try to reason with her, in a cynically hilarious manner. All this leads to a suspenseful conclusion.
The entire cast gives knowing performances. Leigh Ann is played by Dawson¡Çs Creek star Katie Holmes. Barry Watson, of 7th Heaven, plays Luke, and Marisa Coughlan steals most of her scenes as the Marilyn Monroe wannabe Jo Lynn. Helen Mirren dominates the screen with her fiery and fierce portrayal of Mrs. Tingle, and when the four stars get together, the rapport amongst them is fantastic! Vivica A. Fox has a small role as a guidance councilor in the school, but Molly Ringwald has one of the funniest cameos as a substitute teacher. And how can anyone forget Liz Strauber, as suck up Trudie Tucker? What a cast!
The problem too many people have with this film, and ones like it, is the fact that they take it too seriously. Obviously, it¡Çs a fantasy Kevin Williamson had in school, and art reflects life. I¡Çm not generally a fan of modern films, usually opting for the classics of the 30s, 40s, and 50s, but Teaching Mrs. Tingle is a welcomed exception. What a fantastic black comedy!
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