Katie Dislikes Almost Everything About Her Job The Only Reason She Continues
An OK movie with a great performance by Helen Mirren
I will have to disagree with many comments on this movie saying that it was only a bomb. I thought this movie was quite interesting, surely not a great one, but good. The high point of this movie, in fact, is Helen Mirren. I was quite impressed with her inspiring performance - it kind of reminded me of Kathy Bates in "Misery". It is quite rare to see such a great performance like Helen Mirren's in an horror/suspense movie and this is the main reason why I have decided to comment on "Teaching Mrs. Tingle".
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So, did they exactly teach Mrs. Tingle anything?
Warning: Spoilers
Teaching Mrs. Tingle, this was the movie I saw multiple times on HBO when it was released in 1999 and I couldn't get enough of this movie. I absolutely loved it, I think because I was graduating Jr. high at the time, I actually expected high school to be like this. True, it was a bit far fetched at the time, but still it was a lot of fun to watch. Who didn't fantasize about treating a teacher like this in high school, the one who absolutely gives you a hard time for no reason and just won't lighten up on you? OK, granted I don't think we wanted to play "Mistress of Pain" by tying our teachers up, but still it was a fun idea and this is just a fun movie to watch.
Leigh Ann is a high school student who wants to achieve top grades to become valedictorian. However, her grade in History class is threatened by her sadistic teacher, Mrs. Tingle. Mrs. Tingle has a special dislike for Leigh Ann and down-grades Leigh Ann's well-designed project. The teacher also stumbles upon Leigh Ann with the final exam, which had been stolen and planted in Leigh Ann's backpack without her knowing, and threatens to have her expelled for it. Leigh Ann and her two friends, Luke and Jo Lynn, head to Mrs. Tingle's house that night and try to convince the teacher that Leigh Ann is innocent. Mrs. Tingle, however, does not listen. They try to grab Mrs. Tingle and she is accidentally knocked unconscious. The students panic and tie Mrs. Tingle to her bed. Pretending to be Mrs. Tingle, Jo Lynn calls the school the next morning and feigns illness in order to buy themselves some time, but all are unsure of what they should do next. Mrs. Tingle eventually reveals that she hates Leigh Ann because Leigh Ann has the potential to leave their small town and experience life, but her honesty only furthers her captors' dislike of her. She also opines that Leigh Ann has not got the guts to do anything that will get her in trouble; you know that that's not a good thing to say to the goodie goodie who needs adventure.
While the movie has a bit of an unbelievable plot, it's just a nice escape and a good movie. It was funny, witty and intelligent. I loved Helen Merrin in this movie, she was just awesome as Mrs. Tingle, couldn't have been a better villain and was someone that you just loved to hate. Katie Holmes actually held herself up well and had good chemistry with then hottie of the day Barry Watson. The cast all together had good chemistry. To be honest I'm surprised this movie didn't get much notice after it's release, who knows if it might be a cult classic somewhere down the line, but I think it's a fun movie and if you get the chance to watch it, I'd suggest you take advantage.
7/10
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Helen Mirren Teaches Acting
This isn't a dreadful film, merely insipid. The plot is deeply flawed and implausible. It tries to be a number of genres and fails at each. It fails as a comedy, as a suspense thriller and as a horror movie. It almost succeeds as science fiction. The direction is uninspired and Katie Holmes, cute cherub face that she is, should be modeling teen clothing, not acting. The only thing that keeps this movie from being a 1 out of 10 is Helen Mirren. Her performance is fabulously nefarious and is (almost) worth suffering through the rest of it. Her ability to transmute from imperious to faux sympathetic to deviously manipulate and control her prey shows masterful range. Other than Marissa Coughlin's delightful Exorcist rendition, Mirren is the only reason to see this movie. A solid 3.0.
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Great 90s teen thriller!
First of all, Helen Mirren alone is worth watching in this. Don't take it too seriously and watch it for what it is - a late 90s teen romp, often pretty exceting, but also pretty funny, and you'll have a good time.
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Playing with fire.
History teacher Mrs Tingle seems to have it in for student Leigh Ann Watson, who has her heart on achieving a writing school scholarship. She receives another low grade from Tingle, which doesn't help. When one of her classmates Luke steals the paper of the final history exams and pops it in her bag, Mrs. Tingle finds it sticking out. She threatens the three that she will go to the principal about it, but he's not available. So before she reports it the next morning. Leigh, her friend Jo Lynn and Scott head to her place that night and try to convince her not tell the principal. However due to Tingle's stubbornness, that find themselves reverting to drastic measures to stop this getting out.
Wasn't fan of it when I first saw it, and after another viewing, I'm still not one. Writer Kevin Williamson was on a roll after penning the successful contemporary teen horror films; 'Scream (1996)', 'I Know What You did Last Summer (1997)', 'Scream 2 (1997)' and 'The Faculty (1998)'. He was riding the success (also not to forget the TV show 'Dawson's Creek), but this project would be the final bump. The difference there, compared with this entry was other then writing the screenplay, he was also making his debut in directing. The strange thing though, was that I found his direction to be competently done, but material he stormed up to flavourless and tired. It seemed to get caught in playing both a black comedy and straight-out thriller, without making it gel. The script is cluttered with quick-wit, on-going gags, trivial stretches and gimmicky references towards other films, but the problem is that it's too watered-down with so many contrived developments and sappy moral currents disrupting the flow. The fractured script had to be more strong and potent, since it's a small-scale production that feels like you're watching a stage show because of its mostly confined sets. It tries to play mind games with the characters, but these moments are there to only serve the story's poor progression into a puddle of stupidity and senselessness. The film's ending takes the cake. Williamson's polished direction is sound, but more so in a pedestrian way and therefore it lacks suspense and the pacing even with its taut surroundings can really plod on. You eventually feel it after the halfway mark, and it shows up how minor the story is. The performances are tolerable enough, although if it weren't for Helen Mirren's classy, icy portrayal of manipulative prowess as Mrs. Tingle and a buoyant Marisa Coughlan, we would have been stuck watching a vapid goody-to-shoes Katie Holmes. Barry Watson is modest in his slacker part and Molly Ringwald has a lesser role. The soundtrack packs enough energy, but I found it terribly overwrought and shapeless in its choices.
Watchable, but mechanical all round.
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The student's revenge
Warning: Spoilers
Fred Williamson's directorial debut is a movie targeted for teen agers. This comedy, with black overtones, is not a total failure. The story line is not the best asset of the film, which presents us with a situation that doesn't go anywhere, as it brings a cruel side on the young people in the story that doesn't ring true.
Mrs. Tingle, a tyrannical history professor, clearly dislikes most of the students in her senior class. Leigh Ann, an earnest young woman needs whatever help she can get from her teacher in order to get the scholarship she so desperately needs. It is clear Leigh Ann will never get any sympathy from Mrs. Tingle.
The situation deteriorates when Luke, one of the guys in Mrs. Tingle's class gets hold of the final exam and shows it to Leigh Ann and Joe Lynn, her best friend who has a crush on the young man. Mrs. Tingle happens to walk on them and discovers it on Leigh Ann's bag. The chances for the scholarship, and the possible for an expulsion from school, are almost assured.
Instead of confessing, Luke, doesn't even open his mouth. He lets Mrs. Tingle walk out vowing she'll do whatever to have them punished. Expusion is a possibility for the trio. So what do they do? They go to Mrs. Tingle's home wanting to make amends, but she is unmoved. One thing leads to another as they try to get her to change her mind about the theft of the exam, something she will never even consider.
The best thing in the movie is Helen Mirren. She is perfect as the lonely teacher who loves to mock and ridicule the young people under her. She is a frustrated woman who has no life, but who loves to make fun of others because basically she doesn't tolerate the fact that some other people are happy.
Katie Holmes, plays Leigh Ann. She is not as effective here as in some other films. Barry Watson and Marisa Caughlan are Leigh's friends. Jeffrey Tambor only has one scene in the film, but he makes the best out of it. Molly Ringwald, Miichael McKean and Vivica Fox are seen in supporting roles.
"Teaching Mrs. Tingle" doesn't break new ground, but it keeps the viewer involved in it.
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Cracked Actor
Leigh Ann Watson (Katie Holmes) has only days left before she finishes high school. She's a good student who wants to go to college, but she's having trouble getting approved for financial aid, which she desperately needs. If she can only finish her senior year as class valedictorian, she knows she can get a scholarship. Enter the source of conflict of the film, Mrs. Eve Tingle (Helen Mirren), history teacher. Mrs. Tingle doesn't seem to like Leigh Ann. In fact she doesn't seem to like anyone except Trudie Tucker (Liz Stauber), a trust fund kid on her way to Harvard regardless of her senior class standing. Leigh Ann needs Mrs. Tingle to give her an A+ to become valedictorian while giving Trudie a lesser grade. How far will Leigh Ann and her friends go to convince Mrs. Tingle?
The premise of the film may sound a bit silly and unrealistic, and it is. But the focus of the film isn't the premise. This is not a plot-driven film in any traditional sense. It's an exploration of particular kinds of character dynamics for which the plot is merely an excuse to get to the necessary situations. As for realism, I don't require that in my films for any particular facts. On the other hand, Teaching Mrs. Tingle is incredibly realistic in terms of many of those character dynamics. So I don't subtract points just because something is realistic either. Realism is a consideration that writers and directors of fiction films are free to play with as they choose.
Although marketed as a thriller, and it certainly has those aspects as well as other subtexts, Teaching Mrs. Tingle is much more a film about acting. If you analyze what acting is, you realize that it involves putting on some kind of "false front", some kind of role-playing where the role isn't identical to your personal self-image and modes of behavior, and where you're feigning with the intent of selling others on the performance. In Teaching Mrs. Tingle, acting is explored in all its guises, from literal theatrical senses to public false fronts to attempts at deception for ulterior motives. So the film is really a study of how all people are actors with respect to each other in various ways, with very occasional moments of authenticity in personal dynamics inserted as contrast to underscore the idea. Writer/director Kevin Williamson weaves this exploration of acting at least through every non-technical element of the film--relationships, scenarios, dialogue and plot.
Leigh Ann's friend Jo Lynn Jordan (Marisa Coughlan) literally wants to be an actor, so we see her performing as Marilyn Monroe early in the film and later doing a scene from The Exorcist (1973). She also has a chance to act as Mrs. Tingle and later, during a pivotal moment in the climax, as a character she's created on her own.
Leigh Ann's history project is an instance of an object having a "false front" (as if the object itself is acting), and we see Leigh Ann putting on false public faces, mostly to appease those she loves (Jo Lynn and her mom, Faye (Lesley Ann Warren)). In one case, she is also acting to push away someone she loves (Luke Churner (Barry Watson)), and later to deceive someone she loves (Jo Lynn again) and does not want to hurt.
Luke's instances of acting are similar to Leigh Ann's.
Coach Wenchell (Jeffrey Tambor) is acting to deceive his wife, and we also see him go through some fairly literal role-playing. Later, he's also the "victim" of deceptive acting and another case of "object acting", directed by others.
Principal Potter (Michael McKean) and Miss Banks (Molly Ringwald) are classic examples of publicly putting on false fronts for more "political" reasons.
And of course there's Mrs. Tingle. Mrs. Tingle is both the target and source of much of the acting in the film. She's frequently the victim of various levels of deceptions. Characters are constantly acting to show her that they're something they're not in an effort to crack through her armor. Her armor is an act. She gives many deceptive performances herself. And she also literally references acting many times throughout the film in her dialogue, seeming especially fond of Shakespeare.
There are many more examples, but that gives you an idea of the focus and complexity of the film on a character level. As I mentioned earlier, occasionally the acting is contrasted with bouts of authenticity, the two most important ones being the later relationship between Leigh Ann and Luke, and Mrs. Tingle's monologue, during which she cleverly mixes authenticity and acting. Given the theme and the fact that we're watching a film, Teaching Mrs. Tingle is something of a postmodernist tour de force. The performers must show various levels of their characters acting while as they're also acting as actors in the film. The two required to play the most levels--Mirren and Coughlan--are the most overtly impressive, but everyone is excellent.
From this review, it should be clear that Teaching Mrs. Tingle is more of a straight drama that's not just a "silly teen flick". In overall structure, the film is a "black comedy" (but where "comedy" is more the traditional dramatic sense of the term). It is also sometimes comic in the modern popular sense (where you expect to laugh out loud)--Ringwald as Miss Banks actually steals this film on this level at one point--and as mentioned earlier, there are also "thriller" aspects, so that the film is sometimes suspenseful, although not usually in traditional or clichéd ways. A nice pop soundtrack also accompanies the film, if you enjoy that.
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A peach of a movie
In the UK, we're lucky enough to see Helen Mirren regularly on tv, especially as the lead in a crime drama series called Prime Suspect. In Teaching Mrs Tingle, she offers us a splendidly embittered bitch, teetering on the edge of caricature but always just - only just - on the stylish side of the thin line. The supporting cast of young actors, Barry Watson, Katie Holmes and Marisa Coughlan, are sexy and sassy - as the film is itself - and are good enough to suggest that in a few years time we'll all be watching this wondering why we didn't realise how good it was when it came out. The narrative's carefully managed by the writer (with none of the dreaded Dawson Creek verbal diahrroea), the photography and lighting are cleanly and sometime imaginatively done, and the dramatic thrills generate emotional excitement in a way that many so-called thrillers would like to emulate. Someone making this film was absolutely first rate at getting the best out of their team: maybe not everyone involved is going to do better later, and maybe this will turn out to have been their finest hour - but if you want to see a really enjoyable comedy thriller, then try this excellent movie.
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Stupid Students Learn Nothing from the Great Ms. Mirren
I was zapping until I saw Ms. Mirren's elegant face. Damn, this woman's hot! I think I missed about the first half hour but seeing the utter crap that this film is, I certainly haven't missed much. This is just another one of those trashy teen thrillers and the only good thing about it is (obviously) Helen Mirren. I loved the way she transforms from mean to vulnerable to manipulative. The character is not the best written character (then there's a whole lot wrong with the sloppy writing let alone inconsistency, plot holes and lack of characterization) but this woman pulls it off with brilliance. Katie Holmes is one of the most uninteresting actresses and she should just stick to that snoozefest soap 'Dawson's Creek' where she continues 'advising' her co-stars. Oh wait, that's been long cancelled, hasn't it? Barry Watson and Marisa Coughlan are equally pathetic. I'm sure the director and the writer hated their teachers which is why they want to teach the kids of today that it's alright to kidnap your teacher and beat her up, no matter how mean she is in class because that will surely get you an A.
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That's a big `F' on your report card, Kevin Williamson!
I heard this movie was bad…They even warned me it was terrible, but for some reason (probably Katie Holmes) I still watched it when it came on national TV. Watching Kevin Williamson films means torturing! His scenarios aren't funny, definitely not scary and not the least bit creative. Teaching Mrs. Tingle breathes the same irritating atmosphere as his brainless series `Dawson's Creek' and it's probably meant for the same target group as well. Before the credits even started, 5 people already wanted a hug and they stated that eerie `I love you'-sentence. It doesn't get any better as the soundtrack is filled with annoying pop/rock and the storyline is ultra-thin. Three students on the verge of graduation get caught cheating by the wickedest teacher in school. Every high-school has a teacher like that, you know… To save their skin, they try to convince Mrs. Tingle that it wasn't their intention to cheat but this attempt goes horrible wrong. The typical high-school humor is completely lost on me, the overdose of sentiment is pathetic and the acting (with the exception of Helen Mirren) is abominable. I'm sure Katie Holmes can act – that's a fact proven by her role in `the Gift' – but she urgently needs to stop accepting frumpish girl roles. As said before, the only positive comments goes out to the brilliant casting of Helen Mirren as the shrew. It's like Kathleen Turner in `Serial Mom'! The role suits her perfectly and you can't imagine anyone else playing her. Other than that, this is avoidable teenage nonsense.
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Well structured, but lacking focus and development. The Mrs. Tingle character is superior, though. **1/2 out of ****.
TEACHING MRS. TINGLE (1999) **1/2
Starring: Katie Holmes, Helen Mirren, Marisa Coughlan, Barry Watson, Jeffrey Tambor, and Vivica A. Fox Written and directed by Kevin Williamson. Running time: 96 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for violence, language, sexuality, and thematic elements)
By Blake French:
As rumor has it, Kevin Williamson, writer and director of the new comedy horror romp, "Teaching Mrs. Tingle," had probable cause to create such a movie. I hear Williamson once had a teacher who told him he couldn't write well, and now, due to his enormous success as such, he is putting that educator in his or her place. Is "Teaching Mrs. Tingle" an extreme telling of his feelings for that individual? Was Mrs. Tingle really the name of his teacher? Will this film be a bad influence towards today's high school students who have a hellish teacher? The answers I do not know. Although Kevin Williamson has written some efficient work in his time, "Teaching Mrs. Tingle" is not the movie to prove to his old teacher that he is indeed a wonderful author. The screenplay shows signs of knowledgeable structure. It contains particularly effective character traits. However, the overall presentation demonstrates just how correct Kevin Williamson's teacher was when criticizing his skills.
The film details the mishaps of three high school students, Luke, Jo Lynn, and the character in the spotlight here, Leigh Ann Watson. Luke is a slacker, caring little about his education or future. Jo Lynn is an average young woman with a crush on Luke. Leigh Ann, however, is almost a valedictorian on the verge of a college scholarship, hoping to dwell in a future of writing. The only thing standing in her way is her non-supportive, although loving, mother and the teacher known as the demon of her school by students and teachers, Mrs. Tingle. She is the person who is going to determine whether Leigh Ann receives the academic achievement award or not, because she is going to grade the history project that will be the final statement in her overall grade point average.
The opening scene develops our hero, Leigh Ann, a with little profundity. We learn of her successful history with her schooling experiences through dialogue rather than actions. Although to some extent this method of character development works here, in order for the audience to care for such an important character, we require more than what is granted. The dialogue is smart and audacious throughout the film, but even such clever words fail to replace the important visualization of Leigh Ann's past. This is very hard material to accomplish with proficiency; only a screenwriter with a firm foundation can exceed with this material. Williamson proves to be not such with the direction of his own script.
Mrs. Tingle's introduction is a completely different story. We experience through actions, motives, character reactions, and decisive dialogue how she is truly the teacher from hell. The audience loves to hate her cruel, devilish personality. This is delivered in an award worthy fashion by the great Helen Mirren, cast with perfect superiority and brings forth one of the most fun characters this year. Her character is played straight and, until the resolving but ridiculous conclusion, is never over the top. Mrs. Tingle is one of the most sought out characters seen in the movies in this year.
The story makes up a near flawless structure. The first act proceeds appropriately as we meet the first plot point, which concludes when Mrs. Tingle accuses Leigh Ann of cheating on an important test. This incident swiftly moves us into act two when the three concerned students hijack Tingle in her own home and accidentally allow things to get out of hand. She ends up being tied to a bed, blackmailed, deceived, and is even shot with a crossbow.
I think the audience needed more description of the side characters. In particular, the Jeffrey Tambor character, Coach Wenchell, or as Tingle calls him, "Spanky." He contributes an important part in the film, but is developed with such little significance, we really don't care that much about him. Obviously, the filmmakers intended to use him as a plot device; to fit the necessary requirements, once again proving that Kevin Williamson hit some major road bumps in his script.
"Teaching Mrs. Tingle" was first scheduled to be titled "Killing Mrs. Tingle," but Dimension obviously lost their nerve and tamed it down to something more appropriate. The film is not as bad as many are saying, and contains some very good material. But in the end, I feel Kevin Williamson needs to be taught a few lessons about screen writing. Whether it be by Mrs. Tingle, or his old teacher, as this film proves, he needs to go back to script school.
Brought to you by Dimension Films.
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Great performance from Mirren
The movie had a really good scenario - three students kidnap their most hated teacher to try and raise their grades. But it's sadly it's got a very poor script and the acting (APART FROM MIRREN WHO WAS AMAZING) was very poor,
perhaps williamson should stick to writng movies instead of making them.
Watchable for the brilliantly cold hearted performance by Helen Mirren but she deserved a better dialogue (she sounded like Anne Robinson from the weakest link) and better co-stars - who were admittedly gorgeous but should go back to acting school.
A+ for story & Mirren's pefromance D- for excecution
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nnngh...
Warning: Spoilers
I hate it. And I hate it all the more because its meant to be light and inconsequential, and it is, but yet still provokes in me such nauseating and violent ire. Its a waste of my bile. But, it is so catastrophically stupid and badly written I just have to collect my thoughts.
1. Why didn't the stupid male teen lummox admit fault as soon as Tingle took the stolen test out of stupid Holmes' bag?
2. After agreeing to just tell the truth why did they send female teen actress B go to Tingle's door and proceed to just lie? Second obvious chance for male teen lummox to admit all wrongdoing goes abegging.
3. Why do any of said lummoxes fail to listen to their own ideas?. Tingle is manipulative, don't listen to her, she's trying to promote disharmony within our group. Stop listening to her. Its a ruse. Don't let her get to you... Whats that Mrs Tingle?.... Really?
4. Why does being upset by Tingle (see 3) drive Holmes to have presumably unprotected sex with irredeemably guilty male teen lummox?
5. Why does she even want to fornicate with said male teen lummox? To paraphrase... Holmes (to Lummox) - "There's an unguarded innocent woman tied upstairs, we're probably all going to prison for a long time and its all your fault, you have no scruples or charisma, my accomplice and best friend who has (somehow) always been in love with you has now fled the crime scene in a jealous rage because she's been tricked (see 3) into thinking we've slept together. Lets sleep together, that's made me horny".
6. And why doesn't this firmly establish Holmes as a colossally stupid, horribly callous b**ch?
7. Why does illegally changing not only HER grade, but unjustifiably sabotaging someone else's grade not only further reinforce Holmes as being a horrible callous b**ch?
8. Since Holmes is explicitly established as a horrible person, does that not make Tingle the protagonist by default? Where is the tension in the prospect of Holmes getting caught?
9. Mrs Tingle has escaped and is on the phone in the living room. Holmes sneaks into the MIDDLE of the SAME room and stands there. Has Tingle seen her? I think she's gotten away with it.... no, wait.
10. One lummox screams "RUN!" when crossbow aimed at Mrs Tingle is found to be minus the arrow. Run? From a 60 year old woman? Run where? Run WHY? What does running solve? "She's got my ankle! We're all going to die!" scream the three healthy teens. (Clue - Tingle is a superhuman cannibal).
11. Tingle has been assaulted, threatened, kidnapped, blackmailed and tormented in her own home for numerous days. Don't call the police, this is a matter for the principal.
12. Tingle's legally justified retaliation results in nobody getting hurt. The simple question of "whats been going on here?" is fortunately not raised by anyone ever again and thus all captors are absolved of all crimes. Holmes gets her fraudulent award, all betrayal between friends is never spoken of again and they all live happily ever after.
These are only the larger and more thematic ones. Everything, every minute detail of this film is deeply and profoundly stupid, unjustified. illogical and unlikable.
I thought this would be cathartic but i just feel empty inside.
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Excellent, a leap for Willamson as director
Kevin Williamson has shown that he can direct his vision of a movie that he has written. I think this is somewhat suspenseful and articulate. Williamson's use of vocabulary as in his other works is still by far unbelievable. Also, his introduction of the antagonist as she is walking through the hallway as students dodge her path is proving her power as being evil. This movie is also very realistic because everyone has felt threatened by a teacher like Tingle. This movie was excellent and I believe that Kevin Williamson did a great job in his directorial debut.
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Watchable.
Teaching Mrs. Tingle (1999) is a very weird movie. It was actually worse than I thought, but there are two hot chicks in it (Katie Holmes, Marisa Couglan) that made it heaps better.
I have to say Teaching Mrs. Tingle (1999) went stupid at lots of points in the film and the actors (Holmes, Mirren, Watson) could of done lots better.
Anyway, I'll get to the point! This film is about an overachieving student named Lee-Anne Watson (Holmes) who is accused of cheating on her history test! Lee-Anne doesn't like it when things don't go her way, and she wants revenge, so her two buddys (Coughlan, Watson) take a trip to see Mrs. Tingle (the dragon teacher who accused Lee-Anne of cheating) and pay her a lesson!
This is not scary, its not that funny but it manages to get in the thriller combination.
My Rating : 7/10.
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Dull, clichéd mess
Going into Teaching Mrs Tingle, all I wanted was a fun, enjoyable teen comedy that would entertain me for it's running time. Despite a rather good first half hour, the film quickly subsides into a dull, clichéd mess that's about as entertaining as pulling out your eyelashes with pliers. Rusty pliers, at that. 'Scream' writer Kevin Williamson wrote and directed this movie, and proved that Scream may well have been a fluke. Most of the elements of this movie have been seen a million times already in other films; and while it was OK for him to steal elements from other movies in Scream, due to the fact that it's meant as a slasher tribute; here, it just looks like he's completely ran out of ideas. The plot follows the cleverest girl in school, played by Katie Holmes. After being caught cheating along with two of her friends; the three decide to take the teacher that caught them hostage in her own home. However, this isn't just any teacher; it's Mrs Tingle, the meanest bitch in school. She isn't taking being tied to the bed lying down either, as she begins to play mind games to turn her captors against each other.
The plot is very similar to the 1997 flick 'Suicide Kings', and a whole host of earlier films. It's actually not a bad idea for a movie, and if Williamson could have populated the film with interesting characters; it could have worked really well. The character of Mrs Tingle is the most interesting in the movie, but she's massively one dimensional, and like all the other characters in the film; is merely a caricature. The acting is largely diabolical, with the exception of Helen Mirren in the title role. She's suitably evil in the role, and while she doesn't have a lot to get her teeth into; she clearly enjoys herself playing the central figure. The teenage cast isn't worth mentioning, with only Katie Holmes standing out; and that's only really because of her star profile, not her acting talents. Williamson has draped nearly every scene in dull soft rock music, which would be really annoying if the film wasn't absolutely terrible anyway. Honestly, this movie does have a few moments that are rather good; but basically, if you want to see a good example of the teen comedy - this isn't the movie that you want to see.
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One of the best teen movies people forget about.
Besides The Faculty and Disturbing Behavior, this movie is one of the defining teen thriller movies of my generation (in my mind), minus the Scream series.
It's kinda funny how people seem to forget about it, though.
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Not enough happening in this movie.
I remember when this movie first trailers came around. It looked like a fun movie but above all also a fast paced one with lots of action and thriller elements. However very little of this can be seen back into this movie. A really wasted opportunity, for it's premise was a good one and a rather interestingly original one as well.
Maybe I expected too much, since Kevin Williamson, the man behind the Scream movies was at the helm of this movie. The movie turned out to be not quite good or tense enough for a thriller and too serious and weak for a fun comedy. Therefor I can't help regarding "Teaching Mrs. Tingle" as a failed movie, that misses its target.
They could had done so much interesting with this movie its story but basically rarely anything tense or remarkable occurs. Mrs. Tingle spends about three quarters of the movie lying tied on bed. They could have let here character manipulate all of the students in a slick and bitchy way, to set them up against each other. The movie does this but it really doesn't go far enough in this. The movie remains pretty shallow because of this and it lacks some good tension and creativity. Not that it's boring but it isn't terrible interesting either.
It's also a waste of Helen Mirren's talent. This is not a role we see her often in. She does provide the movie with some really excellent moments but the script offers her little really interesting to do.
Nothing wrong with the rest of the cast either really. Katie Holmes really isn't bad in it and so isn't Barry Watson, who I think they tried to launch as the new Johnny Depp, who also started his career in a movie with a similar style as this one; "A Nightmare on Elm Street" but he never made it and he already is a forgotten actor. Jeffrey Tambor plays a fun role and so does Molly Ringwald, who's role is obviously referring to her image of queen of high-school movies.
The movie could had really used some more pace, action and tension. It now instead is a rather shallow movie in which too little (interesting) is happening. It still is a somewhat fun movie to watch and obviously not one to take very serious but it all isn't quite enough to make this movie stand out.
5/10
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Katie Holmes couldn't even save this one
Katie Holmes is a great actress; I think she has proven herself through her roles in Dawson's Creek and Go. However, she has a bad problem with picking loser scripts. Look at Disturbing Behavior and this one, Teaching Mrs. Tingle. I am not anti-Kevin Williamson or anything, but this one was HIS WORST WORK TO DATE. The plot was confusing at times, especially at the end. I really didn't understand what that "climax" was all about. I never really figured out why the teacher was so mean (though I did enjoy her bitchy side). I can't figure out why it was sometimes billed as a horror flick when there really was not a drop of blood spilt. Maybe that would have saved the movie. If Mrs. Tingle had went on a killing spree and knocked off a few of the lead characters, then maybe this one would have had a better plot. Katie Holmes and all the cast members individually did good jobs on the film, but some things just cannot be saved. I am looking forward to the day when someone will make a movie with a lead role for Katie that will be worthy of her. Just skip this one and do yourself a favor. Rent "Go" if you want to see Katie in a good role. :-)
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Fun to watch, despite some flaws
Ok, this is not Scream, but it a hell of a lot better than Scream 3 or I Know what you did last summer. In fact this is pretty good entertainment. There are a few good jokes and Helen Mirren really puts on a great performance. Not very gruesome though and too few drops of blood. Maybe the film should have remained Killing Mrs. Tingle and should have been more gruesome, but hey I didn't write this so who cares about my opinion? (You, actually if you are still reading!).
A major flaw of this film is, that it is sometimes predictable and cheesy (the end), but it can also be surprising (also the end).
7 out of 10.
Note: this review has been amended to remove some sexist comments I included at the time. Apologies for any offence caused. I was young and stupid at the time, thinking I was being 'cool'.
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Great Black Comedy!
Most people don't like this because of what happened at Columbine High. But Hello! This is just a movie! A Great Movie! Movies don't create psychos! This movie is Kevin Williamson's masterpiece, it's full of suspense and comedy. The dialogues are great written. And the actors are great as well, especially Helen Mirren and Katie Holmes. Kevin Williamson Rocks!
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Who the **** is the hero?
Warning: Spoilers
A cheap bizarre 80'-like Hughes-movie for the nineties without humor, heart and morals... Mirren and Marisa Coughlan (asuming she does her own voice-work, which I'm not quite certain of...) does some decent acting, but the rest of the cast is pure TV-soap... Steals ideas from all around. After the Mirren-character tells the Holmes-character that shes seen right through her, one hopes that the movie has the guts to follow through, but no - it cops out in ridiculous fashion with 3 fake endings and still manages to let the Holmes-character get out on top after having cheated everyone around her. Apparently it pays to be a (w)bitch in this movie...
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GREAT movie!
m0210 29 December 1999
Ok, here are the basics: The movie is wonderfully written. The actors and actresses were great in this one! It is a must see! Other reviews stated that this movie was just a basic "failure", but this movie is one of my favorite! Helen Mirren did a great job at portraying the teacher, Mrs. Tingle. I gave it 5/5 Stars!
You must see it!
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Loved Mrs. Tingle...Hated the rest of the film...
Warning: Spoilers
This absurd movie was about a "Goodie-two-shoe," teen-girl that really wanted to be Valedictorian but finds her obstacle in a teacher name Mrs. Tingle. Katie Holmes, who plays this "goodie-two-shoe," is faced with "the biggest dilemma of her teenage life" when this classmate guy of hers comes along with the final exams sample that should help them nail Mrs. Tingle's test. Mrs. Tingle comes along, catches Holmes, the classmate guy and her best friend with the sample of her final exam. Convinced that the three of them planned on cheating on here exam, Mrs. Tingle enthuses on her opportunity to ruin Holmes once and for all with allegations that can take away any chance of Holmes passing her class. And the classmate guy, who apparently has his eye on Holmes, always wondered why she never gave him the time of day (he's an idiot)? Feeling desperate, Holmes and her friends visit Mrs. Tingle in the middle of the night to try to dissuade her in believing that Holmes was planning to cheat. It all backs fire somehow when the classmate guy points a bow and arrow at Mrs. Tingle, threatening her to make things right for Holmes. Mrs. Tingle fights back but ultimately ends up as Holmes and her friend's captive.
During Mrs. Tingle captivity under Holmes, they do everything from tying her up and gagging her in her own bed to blackmailing her with false pictures that they took of the unconscious Coach in bed with Mrs. Tingle. I found myself cringing when the kids were making themselves at home in Mrs. Tingle's house, eating up her food and going though her private work. At one point, Holmes found Mrs. Tingle's grade book and purposely changes the grade in her favor, decreasing the grade of her challenge for valedictorian. The end played out like a childish attempt to bring back the comedy that was sparingly in the beginning of the film, resolving on pure irony, slapstick and absurdity.
This has to be the most unlikable and wickedly evil character Holmes would ever play in her entire life. I wanted to help Mrs. Tingle get free to really dig a grave for Holmes. She was manipulative, selfish and conniving. She even slept with the classmate guy despite her best friend's overwhelming interest in him...and she didn't like him. From attempting to ruin her challengers grades by seizing Mrs. Tingle's grade book to taking her best friend's man, you would think that Holmes would get what she deserves in the end, right? Unfortunately, she obtains everything her heart desires, showing that being wicked, manipulative, selfish and whining can get you what you want.
Mrs. Tingle was suppose to be the character you didn't like. They didn't bring me to that point once to believe that she was this woman that needed to be "taught this lesson." She was like every other strict teacher who even gave valid reasons for her resentment of the next generation. Personally, I felt that her opinions about young people were validated with Holmes and her friend's actions every time. I kept hoping she could get free to call the police and nail Holmes. They kept her tied up in bed, ate up her food like a bunch of pigs, drank up the woman's wine, messed with her personal belongings and we're suppose to believe that she didn't deserve to take a bat to each of their heads? And the classmate guy has to be one of the most disliked characters in the history of film. Forget idiot, we need a new word for him that isn't in the Webster's dictionary. He brought the major trouble into Holme's life then made things worse when he came into Mrs.Tingle's house, uninvited behind Holmes, and corners Mrs. Tingle with a bow and arrow. I was thrilled every time Mrs. Tingle had a chance to slap fire out of him, or choke the wannabe actress best friend.
If you're a teen out there and want to see when a teen's manipulation and wrong doing can get him or her the world, see this unfunny, caricature filled, unintentional film noir.
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What Did Helen Mirren Learn
Certainly one of the most respected players in English speaking world is Helen Mirren. Previous to the Best Actress Oscar she got for last year playing Queen Elizabeth II she was probably best known for being Scotland Yard police inspector Jane Tennyson in Prime Suspect when those episodes reached the American side of the pond. But somewhere somehow, someone persuaded this woman to sign up for a role in American teen comedy Teaching Mrs. Tingle in the title role.
Meryl Streep might have seen Helen Mirren in this part before she signed up for The Devil Wears Prada. Mirren is certainly the teacher from hell. I met a few like them, time serving drudges who were hardly inspirational figures for impressionable kids.
Katie Holmes is one of those impressionable kids who's a grade grubber to put it mildly. We're to believe here that Mirren's less than A grade will ruin her entire future because she won't get a scholarship that will go to Liz Stauber her rival who's rich and doesn't need it anyway.
A visit by Holmes and her two friends Barry Watson and Marisa Coughlan results in Mirren being kidnapped and tied to her bed. And then she plays the kids all off against each other.
Yes, believe it or not this is a comedy. Jeffrey Tambor plays the physical education teacher with whom she's got a thing going and calls Spanky. Michael McKean and Vivica Fox and Molly Ringwald play the principal, guidance counselor, and school secretary all of whom have as low an opinion of Mirren as the kids do, but are afraid of her.
I know this made a lot of money because of Watson and Holmes being on current television series 7th Heaven and Dawson's Creek at the time. Still you got to wonder whether they look back in horror at this one. Especially Holmes before she was half of TomKat.
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Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133046/reviews
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