The Substitute (1996)

38% of critics liked it
(21 reviews)
44% of users liked it
(16,819 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, and is… 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

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 54 min.
Directed By: Robert Mandel
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Jul 25, 2000
Studio: Live Home Video

Critic Reviews

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.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Aside from a lot of only moderately-satisfying violence, The Substitute comes across as rather lame.
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.
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.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
The entire setup is too garish to be credible.
John Hartl, Film.com
There's a certain amount of camp value to this over-the-top thriller, which might as well be called Rambo Goes to High School.
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
What begins as watchable quickly degenerates into a no-brain action flick that produces a ton of derisive laughter.
Fred Topel, About.com
Really fun movie. Twist on the "Dangerous Minds" scenario.
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com
Mediocre action flick with an ex-marine teacher taking his gang-banging students to task. Don't bother.
Rick Schultz, Boxoffice Magazine
Settles for being a deranged version of The A-Team meets The Principal.
Louis B. Hobson, Jam! Movies
Because The Substitute doesn't take itself seriously, it's a great deal of lowbrow fun.

Read all 11 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Jason S

A cross between two different types of movies. The inspirational teacher / student movie and an action movie. I liked it but there wasn't anything about it that really rocked my world. The characters were plain and cookie cutter, the plot was simple, and the action wasn't… More
A cross between two different types of movies. The inspirational teacher / student movie and an action movie. I liked it but there wasn't anything about it that really rocked my world. The characters were plain and cookie cutter, the plot was simple, and the action wasn't anything special. But it was an entertaining watch.
Wahida K

Unlike many Tom Berenger Movies, this was one typical Tom Berenger Movie I thought. Unlike the Original one, this piece of Remake was very well done.
Al S

A tense, smart and powerful action-packed thriller. It gets an A+. A classic. a unique, compelling and very excing film with lots of great action, interesting characters and surprising human tenderness. Stylish, clever and very original. It's like Dangerous Minds with explosions… More
A tense, smart and powerful action-packed thriller. It gets an A+. A classic. a unique, compelling and very excing film with lots of great action, interesting characters and surprising human tenderness. Stylish, clever and very original. It's like Dangerous Minds with explosions and gun fights with a bit of Steven Segal. Tom Berenger gives a strong, riveting and unforgettable performance. It will have your-pulse-racing and your adreniline-pumping.
Lenny M

A reworking of "Dangerous Minds", which was a reworking of "Stand and Deliver". DM and SAD were in west coast environments. This film takes place in South Florida and Tom Berenger shows that he still is BA in this film even though it is nothing special.
Michael S

A real guilty pleasure... and completely badass.
Dean M

This urban thriller is good by introducing the ultimate high-school disciplinarian - an unemployed mercenary soldier.
danny d

interesting and good even though it was silly
Dean !

Another film in the teacher goes to the tough school to help out the problem kids. This time with a tough street gang with plenty of members at the local high school. Has some pretty good fight scenes, but overall quite average.
Leo L

Great!

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Tom Berenger as Shale

            Ernie Hudson as Claude Rolle

            Diane Venora as Jane Hetzko

            Marc Anthony as Juan Lacas

            Glenn Plummer as Darryl Sherman

            Cliff De Young as Wolfson

            William Forsythe as Hollan

            Raymond Cruz as Joey Six

            Rodney A. Grant as Johnny Glades

            Vincent Laresca as Rodriguez

            Peggy Pope as Anna Dillon

            Beau Weaver as Janus Showreel Narrator

            Jodie Wilson as Mrs. Andrewson

            Luis Guzman as Rem

            Artie Malesci as Marvin

            Noelle Beck as Deidre

            Mercedes Enriquez as High School Nurse

            Sharron Corley as Jerome

            Maria Celedonio as Lisa Rodriguez

            Richard Brooks (VI) as Wellman

            Claudia Silva as Student

            Maurice Compte as Tay

            Steve DuMouchel as Buyer

            Gustavo Laborie as Drug Carrier

            Mike Benitez as Chemistry Teacher

            David Spates as Michael

            Nidia Alvarez as Student

            Ana Azcuy as TV Announcer

            Juan Cejas as Thug

            Enrique Cruz as Student

            David Diaz as Student

            Lazaro Gomez Carriles as Student

            David C. Hayes as Frank

            Dwight Lauderdale as Himself

            Ian Marioles as Kod Punk

            Melissa Martinez as Student

            Wilmer Padilla as Burgler

            Travis Patterson as Student

            Margo Peace as Mrs. Rollé

            Ricky Simon as Student

            Willis Sparks as John Janus

            Marta Velasco as Rollé's Secretary

            Jim Warne as Bull
See full cast

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