Controversial director Tony Kaye certainly doesn't play it safe. Notorious for "American History X," Kaye has proven himself both outspoken and challenging as a filmmaker (and as a person). Despite that film's positive reception by both audiences and critics (as well as its Oscar nominated leading performance by Edward Norton), Kaye publicly disavowed the movie after it was recut against his wishes. So it's no surprise that "Detachment," from a screenplay by Carl Lund, is like a brisk slap to the face. A bleak and depressing portrait of the American educational system, the film is unrelentingly dark. In its world view, it certainly has a refreshing candor and truth. At times, though, the stylized nature of the movie can detract from its essence. It is surely meant to provoke, which it does, but it also has the tendency to straddle the line of pushing over-the-top when a bit of restraint might have balanced the action. Still, though, it's hard to fault someone willing to make a bold statement in these days of formulaic filmmaking. "Detachment" has a lot to recommend it, but it presents a hyperreality that may not appeal to every viewer.

Adrien Brody plays a substitute teacher who embarks on a one month assignment at a struggling public high school. The students are alternately disaffected, disconnected, and/or outright confrontational. The film has a multi-media quality (with occasional voice over, animation sequences, and kinetic editing) that helps to establish a rather unsettling mood. Brody has weathered a difficult childhood, glimpsed in quick cuts, and is able to understand the silent cries for approval and recognition from the student body and his fellow staff. While he is supposed to be detached, it is this very calm that actually makes him stand out as a survivor and a positive role model. The longer he stays, the more influence he exerts (however inadvertently). It's an interesting idea, one that works in a very tangible way. "Detachment" makes no bones in creating high school as a modern hell. Whether Marcia Gay Harden is writhing on the floor of her office, Tim Blake Nelson is imagining that he is invisible, or Christina Hendricks is being assaulted--these moments have a visceral impact even as they might not always have real world believability. "Detachment," in my estimation, is a well constructed but overwrought parable about the decay and hopelessness inherent in our schools.

Brody is a primary selling point here. The other names in the cast (which also includes Blythe Danner, William Peterson, Lucy Liu, Bryan Cranston, and James Caan) all have showy moments, but this is largely Brody's show. He is both hard-edged and surprisingly likable, his unflappability has enormous appeal. I didn't love a subplot involving a young girl from the streets (it creates a scenario that, if challenged, would have ended any potential career in education), but it is effective in creating a fully rounded persona. I know some might proclaim "Detachment" a modern masterpiece. I'm not quite there, however, although it is definitely an experience I'd recommend to serious minded film lovers. The film is, perhaps, too arty and stylized for its own good. Sometimes power can be achieved through simplicity as well. Not a perfect film, but surely a memorable one. You don't want to believe this is where we've ended up, but "Detachment" strikes very close to home. KGHarris, 9/12.

I related to this wonderful film as a 38 year teacher. I watched it twice on on demand, tried to VCR it the second time, but it didn't come out that well. I can't wait until the DVD is released. While the sub plot involving the teenage prostitute is a bit too much, the classroom scenes are haunting and frightfully real, particularly when it is the first day. The faculty burnout scenes are beautifully scripted as a consequence of students bad treatment of teachers. Those not in the profession who villify teachers constantly should see this film and maybe have a degree of sympathy for us.

To begin: the first third of the movie is out of synch which almost had me turn it off and ask for my money back. But I stuck with it, although it should be fixed, and am I ever glad I did.

This is a beautiful, and also a heartbreaking film. Adrian Brody has the most soulful eyes and is superb in this film.

The story is not very new, but it's approach is different.

I felt a lot of empathy for each character.

It is not for the faint of heart, for it has quite a few very difficult situations presented.

But it's not exploitative at all.

Rather it is tender. Yes, tender. And you feel for these people as if they were you and yours.