videorama-759-859391
I finally came to view this, yesterday, if only for Marky Mark Wahlberg. He gives a kind of breakthrough, if memorable performance. Suck factor: he dies 51 minutes into the movie, at which point I, turned off. Killing MM in this film, is like sticking a knife right in the belly of it, his life, taken by the murderous crazed, hottie teach, Donahue, a human sex magnet to the eyes of any male, much more ones, who are undersexed. She killed her former hottie husband, after catching him in bed with one of her students, and from there, she just loses it, where cut to the present, she's starting a whole new life, in a new town, and new school, substituting for an old hag, the students were glad to see go. She catches the eye of a young good male student, whose hormones are working overtime. He becomes fixated with her, despite his nicey nice, seet and prim proper girlfriend, Natasha Gregson Wagner. The Substitute, the same title taken a few years later by that Berenger school yard film, is stupid, but marvelously and addictively entertaining, shot how 90's t.v movies were shot, and we wouldn't want it any other way. Donahue and Wahlberg, before he became a rennaisance man, or got any army intelligence, are the two assets here. Donahue, gives a memorably knock out performance, while Wahlberg, generates so much charm, and natural ease in it's acting. You can look at it, as bad, or is it? His entry, while reciting a poem to a much younger Amy Adams, is a hoot as seeing him in some other scenes, such a rebel. I'm sorry I turned off after 51 minutes, but it just wasn't right, disposing of Wahlberg, like a down right low kick to the guts.
Franco Zefferer
Wow! I had a lot of fun, I was taken and manipulated in the most delicious way. Amanda Donohoe creates a very human monster. She is spec-ta-cu-lar! That pain that you perceive in every one of her smiles is like an emotional ticking bomb that sooner or later is going to explode. I had to be reminded this movie was made for cable TV about two decades ago and that may explain its inconsistencies. Martin Donovan, the director, has an eye and an elegance so beautifully present in his Apartment Zero. There is a clear ambition, visual and dramatic in this surprising movie - look at that triangular moment at the school party. Father, son and teacher. Or the computer search with images and words taking over the screen. Also, the performances are totally cinematic. It bears repeating that Amanda Donohoe's performance deserves some kind of trophy. Dalton James, Natasha Gregson Wagner, Molly Parker and even Mark Wahlberg making his film debut have moments of beauty and power. All the characters even the smallest have a chance to shine. I've been trying to buy it in Amazon or Netflix - they never heard of it! I can't find it anywhere but I'm determined to see it again.
tudor_constantin69
What can i tell about this movie is that it is one of that movies which could have been great but instead it remained mediocre eventually.The theme is great could have been a great scary movie but it doesn't have gore in it and boys will be disappointed because Amanda Donohoe doesn't show some flesh.The positive sides of this movie are the performance of Mark Wahlberg billed here as Marky Mark and Amanda Donohue.Unfortunately for Marky Mark fans,he didn't sing in this movie.He appeared almost until the middle of the movie, so until here the movie was pretty interesting but after Marky Mark disappears the movie appears to be pretty boring.So Amanda Donohue and Marky Mark bring some attitude and talent to this movie but it is not enough for a movie to be good.THE SUBSTITUTE has a mediocre story,it isn't suspenseful enough and the rest of the cast didn't make a good job and yeah Amanda Donohue is like Bette Davis in this film.if will appear a DVD with an unrated version of this movie where we can see the 2 sex scenes extended and gore scenes also then maybe i will buy the DVD and i would enjoy it.
jotix100
Martin Donovan directs this film with an inspired cast. Mr. Donovan has done much better work in his native Argentina. "The Substitute" seems to be a movie of the week feature that we had never seen. It was shown on a cable channel the other night and while the film doesn't even attempt to break new ground on the horror genre, it will not bore the viewer. Thankfully, it's only 87 minutes long!The best excuse for watching the movie is Amanda Donohue, an actress that has done some interesting work. Her take on the evil teacher is right on target. Ms. Donohue plays the dual role of Gayle/Laura with great style, something she has always brought to other roles. This woman is a step ahead of everyone. She is evil personified. She registers a lot of emotion without appearing ghoulish.The young supporting cast is good. Dalton James plays Josh, a young man that gets a taste of what Laura is capable of doing. Mark Wahlberg, billed as Marky Mark, doesn't much to do. He was still trying to find his way around the movie business. Natasha Gregson Wagner plays a bland Jenny, Josh's girlfriend. Finally, Eugene Robert Glazer is seen as Josh's father and the object of Laura's sudden interest.See the film with an open mind.
