The Substitute (1996)
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38% of critics liked it
(21 reviews) -
44% of users liked it
(16,997 ratings)
An ex-mercenary (Tom Berenger) becomes a take-no-prisoners teacher in a drug-ridden, gang-infested Miami high school in this campy morality tale about restoring lost American virtues to the inner city. Berenger's character, Shale, has no first name, a shadowy past as a patriotic gun-for-hire,… More An ex-mercenary (Tom Berenger) becomes a take-no-prisoners teacher in a drug-ridden, gang-infested Miami high school in this campy morality tale about restoring lost American virtues to the inner city. Berenger's character, Shale, has no first name, a shadowy past as a patriotic gun-for-hire, and is temporarily unemployed and living with an idealistic teacher, Jane Hetzko (Diane Verona). Jane has angered a school gang leader, Juan Lucas (Marc Anthony), by asking the principal to get him transferred after he has threatened her in the schoolyard. After Jane is kneecapped by a gang member, Shale fakes a resume and becomes a substitute teacher, Mr. Smith. He lectures his class on the lessons of Vietnam ("We were fighting Communism") while looking for a way to get revenge on Juan. When he challenges the school's tolerance for student misbehavior, Smith is fired by the slimy principal, Claude Rolle (Ernie Hudson), an ex-cop who is running for City Council and doesn't want to rock the boat. Shale stays because he cites a union rule requiring two weeks' notice. During that period, tensions escalate and eventually Shale intervenes in a gang war that degenerates into a school-destroying inferno of violence. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi
- Directed By
- Robert Mandel
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure
R,
- In Theaters
- Jun 1, 1995 Wide
- Studio
- Live Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
There's a sense of shrewd observation throughout The Substitute that makes it come alive and seem quite a few cuts above such usual genre fare.
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James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Aside from a lot of only moderately-satisfying violence, The Substitute comes across as rather lame.
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Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
Those who appreciate the irony of a killing machine turned loose on a pack of nasty students will find The Substitute a source of nonstop delight.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The title changes, the actors change, and the superficial details of the story change, but it is always about exactly the same thing: heavily armed men shooting at one another.
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Stephen Holden, New York Times
The entire setup is too garish to be credible.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Tom Berenger
as Shale
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Ernie Hudson
as Claude Rolle
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Diane Venora
as Jane Hetzko
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Marc Anthony
as Juan Lacas
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Glenn Plummer
as Darryl Sherman
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Cliff De Young
as Wolfson
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William Forsythe
as Hollan
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Raymond Cruz
as Joey Six
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Rodney A. Grant
as Johnny Glades
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Vincent Laresca
as Rodriguez
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Peggy Pope
as Anna Dillon
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Beau Weaver
as Janus Showreel Narrator
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Jodie Wilson
as Mrs. Andrewson
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Luis Guzman
as Rem
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Artie Malesci
as Marvin
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Noelle Beck
as Deidre
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Mercedes Enriquez
as High School Nurse
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Sharron Corley
as Jerome
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Maria Celedonio
as Lisa Rodriguez
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Richard Brooks (VI)
as Wellman
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Claudia Silva
as Student
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Maurice Compte
as Tay
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Steve DuMouchel
as Buyer
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Gustavo Laborie
as Drug Carrier
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Mike Benitez
as Chemistry Teacher
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David Spates
as Michael
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Nidia Alvarez
as Student
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Ana Azcuy
as TV Announcer
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Juan Cejas
as Thug
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Enrique Cruz
as Student
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David Diaz
as Student
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Lazaro Gomez Carriles
as Student
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David C. Hayes
as Frank
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Dwight Lauderdale
as Himself
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Ian Marioles
as Kod Punk
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Melissa Martinez
as Student
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Wilmer Padilla
as Burgler
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Travis Patterson
as Student
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Margo Peace
as Mrs. Rollé, Mrs. Roll, Mrs. Roll
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Ricky Simon
as Student
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Willis Sparks
as John Janus
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Marta Velasco
as Rollé's Secretary, Roll's Secretary, R...
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Jim Warne
as Bull
