For over two decades portraying the character, along with notable commitment and level, the name Hugh Jackman and Wolverine have become inseparable. But occasionally he has surprised us with projects outside his comfort zone that are interesting, while also leveraging his remarkable charisma.
Such was the case with The Scam (Bad Education), one of the hidden gems in the catalog of Amazon Prime Video. Alongside Allison Janney, he stars in this criminal drama based on real events that unfairly went unnoticed, with Cory Finley executing a very notable exercise in intrigue and character drama.
In 2002, Dr. Frank Tassone is the superintendent of the Roslyn school district in Long Island, overseeing Roslyn High School. Frank, along with his deputy superintendent Pam Gluckin, has overseen significant improvements in the district, turning it into the 4th best public school in the country. The school’s performance subsequently boosts the local economy. Frank is beloved by students and parents, and admired by women.
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While writing an article for the Roslyn school paper about an aerial walkway the school plans to build, student Rachel Bhargava begins to uncover discrepancies in the school district’s finances. Unknown to anyone at the school, Frank and Pam are complicit in a massive embezzlement scheme, defrauding millions from the school district and perpetrating the largest school scandal in U.S. history.
The origins of the film date back more than a decade before it was made, with then-high school student Mike Makowsky writing the screenplay about the scandal involving his district’s superintendent. A script that initially intended to portray him more villainously, but which incorporated nuances as he spoke with people close to him.
‘The Scam (Bad Education)’: the public and the private
However, this does not excuse or redeem him. The Scam (Bad Education) is able to understand his position, but shows that he clearly maintained a public facade that did not correspond with what he tried to uphold in private. The film recounts this with considerable elegance and also impact, featuring the best elements of traditional American cinema.
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Of course, it also features an extraordinary Jackman who knows how to convey all the nuances of the character. The actor shines by showcasing at times his undeniable charisma, but he also excels in aspects that other films have not demanded from him as much, such as his ability to internally explore what the protagonist experiences. It’s one of his best performances as an actor, and is worth revisiting this week as he returns with Deadpool and Wolverine.
You can watch The Scam (Bad Education) on Amazon Prime Video.
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