A Teacher is an
American Romantic Drama web television series created by
Hannah Fidell. It stars Kate Mara and Nick Robinson in
main roles along with Ashley Zukerman, Marielle Scott, Shane Harper, and Rya Ingrid Kihlstedt in supporting roles. It has a total of
10 episodes and was premiered on 10th November 2020 on
FX on Hulu and is now available on Hulu and
Disney+ Hotstar to stream.
Claire (Kate Mara) who's in her 30s starts a new job as an English
teacher in a high school in the Texas region. She is unsatisfied in her
marriage and sex life as Max (Ashley Zukerman), her husband, whom
she met in her college days, are unable to have a child. She befriends one of
her fellow teachers Kathryn (Marielle Scott) and gets close to one of
her students Eric Walter (Nick Robinson). He with his friends met
Claire in a restaurant where he shares his problems with Claire that he's
working in this restaurant and trying to score nearly 1250 marks in his SATs
for getting into his dream college.
Claire also shares her problems with Eric and tells her that she could tutor
him for SAT. That night, Claire has dreams of Eric whereas Eric is also
getting attracted to Claire. While tutoring, the teacher-student relationship
develops into love and they start hooking up, meeting secretly outside school
and homes. One night, her fellow teacher asks her what's the reason that she's
glowing so much and drunk Claire tells her everything that she has been
hooking up with her student Eric and after hearing this, shocked Kathryn
reports this to police and the school. That's what Claire was most afraid of
and now what will happen? Will Eric start hating Claire? What's the future of
this relationship?
This miniseries is based on the 2013 film A Teacher directed by
Hannah Fidell. Serving as the main writer of this series she did a
commendable job in putting forth a story that is discomforting to sit through
as the core of the story is still something that no one speaks about or
doesn't even care to look at it as a problem. I've not seen the 2013 film but
here Fidell truly brings out the pure emotions of the characters and hence the
show gets more complicated.
A teacher, unsatisfied with her sex life with her husband, starts to get
attracted to one of her students and he is too getting serious about this
relationship. The first four episodes are treated like an intense romantic
drama between an 18-year-old high school boy and 32 years old teacher, who are
seen getting close with an excuse of spending time with each other and hooking
up often. The fifth episode was a game-changer and the rest five episodes are
too heavy on the emotional angle and showcase that Claire's life has now been
ruined after getting out of jail whereas Eric is now mentally weak.
The makers have made it clear that this is not a love story, this is a story
of an abusive relationship with negative ramifications for all. The flow of
the show is unnerving as it looks normal as nothing is highlighted but deep if
you see there's so much to take from this. The pure and unadulterated emotions
are soul-stirring as we see that they both don't know what repercussions could
be of this relationship. Claire is aware that she's doing a crime but she
slips into this relationship with Eric who starts to develop genuine feelings
for her.
Last year, there was a show Normal People by Hulu, which covers
a long period to showcase a beautiful love story of two people who unknowingly
falls in love with each other. Here, the makers tried too to show a story
covering a long timeline to show their life before and after 'that' happened.
It's a very strong hitting story that might feel good at the start but surely
becomes emotionally heavy, and uneasy to sit after the 6th episode. It ends
with a clever yet effective climax clearing the fact that this is not a love
story and works as awareness so that you won't find yourself in these
situations in real life.
Kate Mara is phenomenal as Claire. She emotes her feelings convincingly
and shines throughout the show. Nick Robinson was great too. Getting
attracted to Claire thinking she's the one who gets him but in reality, she's
the predator and Robinson played it effectively. Ashley Zukerman
as Claire's husband Matt manages to leave his mark with his subtle yet
outstanding performance. Rya Ingrid Kihlstedt as Eric's mother did
a fine job.
The cinematography by Andrew Droz Palermo is stunning. The series has
overall a nice visual appeal and looks refreshing. The production design by
Amy A. Brewster and Katie Byron is truly amazing. The music
by Brian McOmber will give you chills and perfectly goes with the
tone of the show. The series is slow-paced but still, the editing by Sofi Marshall
is good enough to give you the required impact.
A Teacher by Hannah Fidell, once again, is not a love
story. The undiluted emotions that are so much complex and uneasy to take,
that is what I love about the show. The characters are so solid and real they
instantly get connected to you and you will understand them, even if Claire is
a vulture, but seeing what she is going through, you won't hate her nor you'll
love her. That's the beauty of the show. It never underlines anything except
at the last scene and a note that appears at the end of each episode. It's a
haunting, beautiful, pure, and 'caution' show that shouldn't be
missed.
Rating:- 4/5
Now streaming on Hulu and Disney+ Hotstar.
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