This isn't a traditional movie in that it really doesn't have a nice resolution at the end and it feels a bit anticlimactic. This really isn't a criticism, though, as real life is often this way--and this film appears to be the real life experience of someone who went into the teaching profession. Because it lacks commercial style, it must mean that it was a project sponsored by The National Film Board of Canada--a government organization that funds various animated films and allows the artists great latitude in what they make.
The film is about a guy who decides to become a teacher. There really is no 'great calling' or passion--he just drifted into the field. The process through which he went actually fascinated me, as I have been a teacher. Back then, at least according to the film, you needed a certificate from a priest, minister or rabbi saying you were a member and of good moral character--I guess Hindus, Atheists and the like could only teach in Canada if they lied about their religious background. Additionally, the Lord's Prayer was said in school (like many American schools up until a court order back about that same time period).
What I liked was the film's rather dry sense of humor. While the school seemed to do nothing to really teach or mold this man into an effective teacher, those who miraculously DID well in this 1st year internship were mostly weirdos and incompetents. I guess this is probably as true today as it was then--though not true of all teachers, I can sure attest to the fact that there are a lot of odd-balls out there! An interesting film with decent animation and it's very watchable from start to finish.
The film is about a guy who decides to become a teacher. There really is no 'great calling' or passion--he just drifted into the field. The process through which he went actually fascinated me, as I have been a teacher. Back then, at least according to the film, you needed a certificate from a priest, minister or rabbi saying you were a member and of good moral character--I guess Hindus, Atheists and the like could only teach in Canada if they lied about their religious background. Additionally, the Lord's Prayer was said in school (like many American schools up until a court order back about that same time period).
What I liked was the film's rather dry sense of humor. While the school seemed to do nothing to really teach or mold this man into an effective teacher, those who miraculously DID well in this 1st year internship were mostly weirdos and incompetents. I guess this is probably as true today as it was then--though not true of all teachers, I can sure attest to the fact that there are a lot of odd-balls out there! An interesting film with decent animation and it's very watchable from start to finish.
