Having just kinda-sorta sung the praises of Bad Girls, I can’t very well damn this one entirely to hell because it pretty much does exactly the same thing. It’s ridiculously long considering the story; there’s nothing new that you didn’t see in the Eighties (I’d specifically make the oft-repeated comparison to An Officer and a Gentleman except I’m ashamed to admit I still haven’t really watched that movie … but I know enough to know the comparison is valid …); its opening is excruciatingly beleaguered. Yet, I’ve gotta admit, it’s perfectly watchable overall and the ending is sound. It even stirred my barely involved emotions in the end. It won’t be one I’ll revisit any time soon, if ever; but I don’t much regret watching it.

Meryl Streep makes anything worth watching, but I’d honestly rather watch Mr. Holland’s Opus than this similar tale of an eventually-perfect teacher. Even Sister Act 2 cuts the mustard alongside this. But it passed a New Year’s Day.