Lower Learning (2008) User Reviews (32)

Had a shot, missed on all points

[Shattered_Wake · 4/10 · 27 September 2009]

With a pretty good cast composed of Jason Biggs, Rob Corddry, and Eva Longoria-Parker, and an interesting enough storyline of a failing school facing closure by the schoolboard, I thought this actually stood a chance to at least toss out a few laughs.

Unfortunately, two minutes into the film, it basically gave up on itself (I specifically note the fat kid farting while raising the flag up the pole). These days, especially living in California, I know what it's like to see failing schools due to grades and budgetary issues. . . unfortunately, this ignored anything even remotely interesting on these subjects and, instead, focused more on a bunch of annoying characters and a minimal & stupid plot.

I'd suppose the only benefit of this film is to give hope to aspiring filmmakers that with a couple million dollars and a few connections, one can make a film with some reasonable stars and make some money from it. Other than that, avoid the film unless you literally expired every other option.

Final Verdict: 3.5/10

-AP3-

Over The Top, But...

[effigiebronze · 3/10 · 8 August 2010]

I worked in a 'troubled' school district for two years, and uh, a whole lot of this movie is a LOT more true than one might think; from experience, I mean, a teacher pouring booze in a coffee cup (yes), a PE teacher stashing porno in his locker-room office (yes), a pill-popping school inspector (yes). A lot of the small moments were, in fact, absolutely dead on. Things I've seen: an administrator strut into a parent's group in a $4,000 suit and tell them, "I'm not here for missionary work"; taking over a 2nd grade classroom while the recently-divorced teacher went to the break room and smashed furniture while screaming obscenities audible through the whole school, then coming back as if nothing had happened... However, the structure of this movie just didn't make it for me, and actually, while there are some awesome, laugh-out-loud (if black comedic and uncomfortable) moments in here, the whole just doesn't work. The overarching theme of corruption and etc. would have been, if the 'story' as such had been properly handled, unnecessary. Although I do question whether if, someone had actually done an accurate portrayal of just how demoralized and chaotic and just plain dirty schools can get, it's possible that 1) nobody would believe it and 2) nobody would find it funny except those who have lived it. So, 3 stars, mostly for the little pieces, and the brief moments with the kids ("No, I can't hug you; lawsuits, remember?" Yep, been there). At least SOMEONE made a movie about elementary school from the perspective of the staff. This isn't a good movie, but at least it's out there.

A Waste

[southrules2 · 5/10 · 7 December 2008]

Well, a waste of Cordry, at least. I really wish the writers and editors hadn't been lazy for this film, it coulda been funny. It was fimed well but thats not saying much when the material was lacking. It was a series of throwaway dark skits. Like, maybe, a bunch of deleted Upright Citizen Brigade scenes, not quite ready for the big show. A lot of the little story ideas were good but when they were put together for a full length film, they just didn't seem to work. Try again, writer/director guy, but this time, maybe write a better outline and make sure you know what you want the the audience to feel and, most of all, write BETTER jokes.

No pressure movie

[rod674 · 31 July 2012]

If you're looking for a fun, no pressure movie that you can just sit back and relax with, this one's for you. Not the most complicated of plots, but certainly has its funny parts and charm. Rob Corddry is a comedic genius in my opinion, and I always enjoy his performances. This movie was no exception. Overall a good time, if you're aware of what you're watching, which is a simple comedic picture. Jason Biggs is his usual charming and good guy self. Many heart warming moments in the movie with him as the vice principal. Eva Longoria makes one of her first film debuts and fairs well. This movie blends a time tested element of comedy, which is juxtaposing small children and adult themes, so it goes without saying this one may not be for the kids. Just watch and try not to think about it too much, and you'll have a good time. The world needs more lighthearted comedies like this

Crass and distasteful! Enough said

[Davel88 · 2/10 · 27 January 2009]

With 2 big names (Eva Longoria and Jason Biggs) playing leading roles in a satirical film about failing education; this film aimed to hit the higher targets. Yet, through a series of dead-end, awkward jokes and innuendos; this film failed to even meet the lower targets.

This film only gains any credibility through the children's credible and compelling performances. Perhaps this film would have been better with an entirely child based crew working on its production…like a more updated idea of 'Bugsy Malone'.

Regardless; the plot lacked sequence and organisation, much of the acting was frightful at best and the incongruous plot holes allow me to rate this as the worst film I have ever watched.

Lower Learning is as titled, lower learning.

Lower Learning is right!

[callanvass · 2/10 · 21 August 2010]

Lower Learning is pure crap, plain and simple. I love Jason Biggs, but this movie has nothing hilarious about it. I was bored senseless through this movie actually, and don't recall laughing even once. Eva Longoria Parker may be famous due to her Desprate Houswives part, but I do not care for her at all. Surprisingly I enjoy trashy DTV stuff, i'm very open minded, but there is nothing what so ever, enjoyable about this. Rob Coddry's character as the principal is especially disgusting.

Bottom line. Nothing much to view here. Spend your time on better comedies.

2/10

Possibly the worst school film of all time

[jaypugh · 1/10 · 28 September 2009]

Lower Lesson had potential to at least be above horrible. The acting isn't actually that bad compared to your typical school films but it is the depth of the crudeness that sinks this film to the bottom. I could handle the principal's tasteless style because you have Biggs and Eva's characters to counter. The real problem is Monica Potter's character. I have to wonder if she fired her agent after this film. She is the worst teacher in film history unless you get into horror films where they are killing the little rascals. It is painful as ever. It is obvious that they shot her character without any actual kids in the room as you will not see any near her in most shots. After you see her and hear what she has to say you will know why. She rants at the kids with "F U" comments and every vile thing that could come from a person. It would be bad enough if these were high school kids but elementary? You have got to be kidding. I was really surprised considering Potter typically plays a good character. Anyway, the film has little going for it to counter the entire negative. You know it is bad when a supposed comedy weighs you down with guilt. Avoid this film at all cost.

Lower entertainment

[blades_n_stone · 1/10 · 1 September 2023]

What would a comedy be like if it wasn't funny but starred actors from successful comedy films? Torture yourself with this movie and find out.

A script may have only been a suggestion in this long winded, confused, pointless and under developed slog of a film. Diarrhea from eating undercooked hot wings and broken glass is a better way to spend an evening.

Jason Biggs leads a star studded cast that phones it in and only showed up for a paycheck in this underwhelming underdog story about dilapidated school and its alcoholic burnout staff about to be shut down. Can this plucky pack of renegades save the school and stop the corrupt principal? After 20 minutes you won't care.

With no character development. No motivation or arc for the villian or hero. A confusing and terrible plot reveal and no one to actually root for. As this movie forgot to make anyone in it likeable.

This movie is the cinematic equivalent of hitting a squirrel with your car. It's fun for no one. You wish it didn't happen and try to avoid it in the future.

Graphic sexual conversation is just the beginning

[movieguy592 · 1/10 · 15 November 2009]

For the reviewers that said "those that reviewed this film low didn't like it because the graphic sex conversation offended them" Well not for me, but maybe some. But even if the graphic sex was done correctly and so far the only person I know that would be able to pull off a movie with kids while adults discuss sex, etc would be Kevin Smith.

Also there is good "over-the-top" and bad "over-the-top" this was bad "under-the-bottom" The kids in the movie do a decent job for the prediciment they were put in by their agents, or parents and their acting tried to save this movie, but I think they knew they couldn't save the movie if they stuffed it full of Hannah Montana money. For the adults with the exception of Biggs, my CAT could act better than the rest of the adult cast. I actually for a moment thought that Biggs at one point was going to break out a pie and do nasty things to it, honestly. Yeah sure maybe its my not so subtle attempt at humor and making fun of this movie, but seriously my joke was AT LEAST ten times better than this film, that I can assure you of.

The poor children were put in odd, awkward situations almost as if the Director said okay now, improvise, and the kids are like "seriously?" so the director saws : Say "c**k S**ck*ng Mofo. The kids are like "um, OK."

The first ten minutes were funny. Scenes like Biggs and Fowler in the parking lot, when you first see Billing in his office, etc. I actually though the kid farting while raising the flag was a bit funny. For me was Potter's character is when this movie started heading south.

I worked in a Family Health Club and at a teen center and heard more vlugar stuff than anything going on in this film and most of the kids were YOUNGER than those in this film. That was scary. What's scarier is that I actually had to watch a movie that seemed to be based on those things said. So no, it's not offensive, but it was certainly scary.

I was expecting a comedy. Now I question those that wanted to make this film.

This is just one man's opinion, but there seems to be consensus with the majority on this board as to why and how this film got made. Yeah we know "how" money, but why. Satires are supposed to be funny not create a lot of bad awkward silence with the actors. I could have sworn I saw a couple times the kids look off camera to the director looking "you want me to what?"

This movie has replaced the Avengers as the worst movie I have ever seen.

A failing school tries to make a comeback

[igplatt93 · 7/10 · 6 March 2013]

Lower Learning is pretty funny, pretty cute and the kids in the film are awesome and adorable. If you like low-brow, feel good, quirky, maybe dumb-at-times movies then you will like Lower Learning. It is an easy watch that will make you laugh out loud a few times. All the characters, especially the kids and Rob Corddry are great. They are strong and each have a funny tid bit about them. While I don't care for Jason Briggs he didn't annoy or bother me in this film. Eva Longoria plays the inspector who has a weakness for any 'light' drug. You get to see Eva doing whip-its, which, let's face it, is funny. What else is always funny? Kids doing and saying adult things. Lower Learning is kind of like an extremely crude, not for kids version of Little Rascals and the Kindergarten Cop. It ends up being just as sweet and endearing, with an important message even if presented in a silly, maybe disturbing, way.

A tale of two scripts

[vampyrecowboy · 5/10 · 18 February 2009]

It opened up funny. It opened up with a unique look at school.

Then it seemed to disappear somewhere into strange and stupid land.

Then the humor came back for a while.

Then it disappeared again..

It has moments of being really good, then all of a sudden loses everything again and becomes a wreck.

Sometimes the scenes were downright stupid and senseless and the acting was horrible and the dialog was outright stupid and boring and useless.

Other times the scenes were horribly insanely funny.

I think you might enjoy it more if you're not sober.

Brilliantly Evocative Of A Sour Reality

[BeingThere1955 · 9/10 · 13 September 2015]

Either there's something wrong with me, or there's something wrong with all the viewers who gave it appallingly low votes. This movie was disturbingly hilarious. Period. And since IMDb is telling me that I am required to scribble more--although I had planned on ending the review at the preceding "Period"--I will go on to say this movie, which I doubt too many have ever heard of, deserves, IMHO, to have been a sleeper for whichever year it came out (2008, I believe). Its (to use a cliché) dark humor is so over the top that it surprised even jaded little ol' me--or maybe I'm not as jaded as think I am...and I'm really an innocent waif shocked by a movie which a genuinely blasé, cosmopolitan viewer would find merely perfunctorily cynical?

great satire - but not high brow comedy

[pmcguireumc · 7/10 · 25 November 2009]

OK, it is not "dead poets society" or "good will hunting". It is in reality much more like "police academy" for schools. That being said, don't expect high brow humor and you will be pleased. I went in with low expectations because it is a Jason Biggs film, and i was thoroughly pleased. The supporting cast his hilarious! They make the film. Eva Longoria Parker is great, as is Monica Potter. The cast is wonderful as burned out teachers, and the kids are great in their roles both as victims and as accessories. Another special standout in the film is the principle, Rob Corddry. He is hilarious as the sleazy con artist. It is worth your time, just don't expect high brow comedy.

"Education in Trouble"

[Kamurai25 · 2/10 · 18 October 2020]

Horrible watch, will not watch again, and actively recommend you avoid this movie.

This is the first movie where I felt the need to call child protective services and put all the adult actors involved on a watch list.

I'm just saying that some of the things these kids say, see, and in which they participate are potentially traumatizing, especially in the atmosphere they're performed. I'm sorry if this movie is supposed to be funny, but it's an awful story about awful subject matter, and none of the jokes land.

Even Jason Biggs calls out the inspector's use habits throughout the movie, and these are the people we're supposed to get behind. There is a difference between characters being silly and detrimental, and this movie is a great example of what crossing that line looks like.

Maybe it's just too real, maybe the idea of the circumstances of this movie being real is terrifying and I can't see the humor. Regardless, there is nothing I found funny about this movie, and the only redeemable acting came from a young Zachary Gordon ("Diary of a Wimpy Kid").

Watch This Movie Ye Shall Not

[ichocolat · 11 February 2009]

Not wanting to sound as if I'm infringing your god given right to your First Amendment, I want to let you know that you may watch this film, but it's better if you find something else to watch (or do) instead. This film is just isn't worth your precious time.

The cast is star studded, but it didn't make the film enjoyable. With poor storyline, poor execution, and poor (or rather, non-existent) acting from the cast, this film is destined to be a disaster.

With figures of around $2m of budget, one would think that the film can be something better, but unfortunately it was not the case. I went through the thread discussion and found out that they'd have to sell heaps of DVDs to recover the cost. And based on how things go, I do not think they can ever break-even.

The only saving grace is Biggs, who have changed his character from being a nutter in his previous films, to somebody who can give substance and impact to the film. No more is he only known as the guy who f**ked a pizza.

As for Eva Longoria, I think she acted better in her previous film (Over Her Dead Body), and I hope she chooses her character carefully before committing herself.

All in all, not the best film around, and not a good film, as the film is aptly called.

Uninteresting hodgepodge of half ideas

[Sandcooler · 3/10 · 6 July 2013]

"Lower Learning" is one of those annoying movies that thinks it's so much more clever than it actually is. The kind of movie that thinks every single line of dialogue is supposed to be a Tarantino-like one-liner that people will be repeating for the next couple of decades, we'll figure out less important stuff like plot and characters later on. Well, guess what: Mark Lafferty isn't quite Tarantino, and everything about this movie is so laughably forced that it almost becomes unwatchable. How long did it take these people to even find actors willing to utter lines like "we have to be as quiet as a fairy fart"? Honestly, just let that line sink in for a while. If that made the final script, I don't even want to think about what lines might have been cut (if any). If you can't write a decent line of dialogue to save your life, you probably shouldn't transform more than half of the scenes into long conversations that barely have anything to do with the actual story. Through the power of trial and error the movie does occasionally stumble into a territory where it's almost good (the "they get detention!" scene has a peculiar charm to it), but these moments are way too few and far apart to make me stop hating this movie. Garbage.

What happened???

[MikeHunt1075 · 2/10 · 28 December 2020]

How do you have a cast like this and manage to cause a smirk or two during the whole thing? Did these actors owe someone a favor? Was it an "in" joke? Was it an April fools day prank? What happened here?????

Meh

[pvwilliams · 5/10 · 9 February 2022]

The movie had its funny moments. But nothing compared to other Rob Corddry movies. He played his typical role while Jason Biggs did his normal, awkward character. Top 2 things i liked... Eva Longorias complete disregard for the rules kf society and doing whipits in school, and Ed Helms' character and his voice mails.

Perfectly OK

[breno_bacci · 6/10 · 17 November 2008]

This title is definitely not making into any contest of best comedies ever, or best comedy of this year for that matter... Nevertheless, I've found it very amusing, and I'm not really sure why it is so though.

One thing that did impress me was the way the cast played their roles. None of the comedians (or "serious" actors and actresses) is on my favourites list, but I'm glad to tell none of them has decayed on my concept after this movie. Specially Eva, which I've always thought of being a dumb actress from a dumb TV show, and now has raised to the level of my judgment to the point that I want to see her next movies - even more if it's a comedy. She certainly has some skills we'd never be able to see on Desperate Housewives.

Kudos for Corddry, which has been just as surreal as his Daily Show's days suggested; and for Biggs, who finally seems to be getting free from the "guy who f** the pie" stereotype.

Oh, just one warning (not a spoiler, I think) - if you're the kind of person who thinks children should be hermetically shielded from the adult world's dirtiest sides, you may feel a little bit offended with some scenes.

Brilliant dark comedy

[fredfredrikfreddyfred · 9/10 · 12 August 2018]

I imagine other reviewers found foul mouthed children delivering lines appropriate for gangsters to be in bad taste. But if you can overlook the moral bad taste of child abuse, this film was beautifully written, acted, directed and edited, I laughed a lot at the outrageous pushing of the boundaries of inappropriateness. To summarize, it is understandable that the average viewer would find the humor to be too extreme; but if you can handle politically incorrect, sexually perverse. and gratuitously violent comedy you will give this movie a nine like I did.

THEY GET DETENTION

[nogodnomasters · 6/10 · 22 July 2018]

Rob Corddry stars as Principal Harper Billings at Geraldine Ferraro Elementary. He has been embezzling money from the school district. He has run the school in a manner that would induce failure, so when the school closes down, he can pocket the money. The teachers make Cameron Diaz look like teacher of the year. Assistant principal Tom Willoman (Jason Biggs) gets wind of the plan and with the help of Eva Longoria they plan to save the school.

Some of the humor was disrespectful. The kid dragging a worn American flag across the ground, flying it at half mast, and passing gas as if to salute it, was not the type of humor I enjoyed. The teachers drinking, smoking, dropping the f-bomb in front of the kids and abusing them emotionally...okay that was funny. Will Sasso fans will agree he gave us a good performance as a moping gym teacher who allows his students to have inter-gender boxing until they brain hemorrhage.

There were a number of funny moments, but there were also scenes that didn't work (like the flag scene) which dragged the film down. For those who can't get enough of over the top children being abused scenes, this is your film.

Parental Guide: F-bomb, drinking, drug use, no sex, no nudity.

No red balls today kids! lol

[hacks-56635 · 7/10 · 21 October 2020]

I mean movie is good because it's bad. The weird mixture of semi-coherent plots overlapping with the backdrop of the little snot buckets running rampant like a bunch of wild animals has some kind of magical chemistry. I say good lol close this school asap!!

Pleasantly surprised, consistently amusing

[joenscott · 8/10 · 26 September 2013]

If you really like Will Ferrell or Monty Python, you stand a very good chance of enjoying this ridiculous, subversive, offensive movie, which is much more original than mainstream Hollywood comedies such as Bad Teacher, and has to do with schools about as much as Scary Movie 3 had to do with crop circles. The Corddry role was written with him in mind and is the most consistently amusing thing I've seen him in. He's such a villainous school principal that he doesn't just have some lobster delivered on the taxpayer's dime, he revels in tearing apart the lobster suggestively and rather randomly while confusing Eva Longoria's character as to what he might be suggesting. Biggs is an ostensible good guy, although too apathetic to mind having a boy walk the railroad tracks for hours, again, as punishment for pouring gravy on another student. (But "where did you get gravy at nine o'clock in the morning," he wonders, and the kid just shrugs, exactly as that kid would, and moving on....) People tend to suck a lot, pretty much of all us, and this movie makes fun of people for it, relentlessly and mostly creatively.

A Strange but Wild Ride

[anicole-preston · 8/10 · 19 March 2013]

Lower Learning is funny and a wild ride. From the teachers drinking to the principal having lobsters delivered to his office, you are in for a roaring good time. Within Lower Learning there is tons and tons of tongue and cheek humor, with is not only at times witty but also smart.

With a cast like this I wish they would have let them do what they do best. Eva Longoria plays a role that many have never seen her in before and it is sort of refreshing. Jason Biggs is raunchy and full of laughs but the role seemed a bit stretched and unnatural. I also wish that it focused on the problem at hand and the whole film seemed a but rushed.

If you are looking for a film that will make you laugh this one is it!

Great School Satire

[in1984 · 8/10 · 15 September 2009]

Maybe too many people attended schools like the one this film makes fun of. Far funnier and more intelligent than the ratings and comments give it credit for.

Whether it's because most people are sensitive about their education and they simply lack the ability to enjoy over-the-top satire or are over-sensitive to comedies about elementary school and young children, it's too bad they aren't as intelligent as the actors and writing involved in this film. Maybe the combination of graphic sex discussions and having a topic that appeals to parents pulled in an overly conservative crowd.

It would make a good combination film with the documentary Nursery University.