The Teacher (1974)

Not like any teacher I ever had, 4 September 2007

I can't believe how much fun I had watching The Teacher. They don't make 'em like this anymore. Having recently graduated from high school, 18 year-old Sean (Jay North) has one last summer at home before he heads to college. He discovers quite the novel way to spend his time – he begins having an affair with his 28 year-old blond knock-out of a teacher, Diane Marshall (Angel Tompkins). Things would be great for the couple if it weren't for a crazed Vietnam veteran named Ralph (Anthony James) who not only has the hots for Diane, but also blames Sean for his brother's death. Sean's had enough and decides to confront Ralph – whatever the consequences.

The Teacher is 1970s sleazy, grimy, soft-core film-making at its best. Writer/director Howard Avedis handles the plot with the casual style you would expect in the free-love 70s when 18 year-olds were treated like adults. The acting is surprisingly strong. Jay North and Angel Tompkins give much better performances than I would have expected. Tompkins is a real revelation to me and I look forward to discovering more of her work. Veteran character actor Anthony James literally steals every scene in which he appears. Avedis mixes in just enough sex, sleaze, and thrills to keep the whole thing interesting throughout. Finally, I've read complaints on the internet about the films ending. Well, I loved it. It really caught me off guard. Sure, it's as melodramatic and, ultimately, cheesy as they come - but that's what works for me. I wouldn't want The Teacher to have ended any other way.

7/10