Watch Stealing School

Stealing School is a 2019 Canadian-American legal comedy thriller film directed by Li Dong and written by Li Dong and Jonny Sun. The film stars Celine Tsai, Jonathan Keltz, and Mpho Koaho. The movie takes place in Toronto, where April Chen (Celine Tsai), a brilliant Canadian-born Chinese computer science student, is accused of plagiarism by her professor (Jonathan Keltz). Though April denies the accusations, she is nonetheless put on academic probation, which threatens her chances of graduating with honors.

Undeterred, April decides to prove her innocence by taking on the university's administration and proving that her professor is in the wrong. In the process, she joins forces with Eric (Mpho Koaho), a former classmate and current conspiracy theorist, who possesses the skills and knowledge to help her uncover the truth.

The film is cleverly crafted and has a great sense of humor. It blends contemporary issues concerning identity and cultural assumptions, particularly in the academic field, with thrilling heist-like elements to make for a unique and unforgettable movie. The movie both highlights and subverts common stereotypes in relation to Asian Americans, while also acknowledging how institutions themselves can reflect these same biases.

Celine Tsai delivers a superb performance as April Chen, demonstrating an eloquence that is both witty and authentic. Jonathan Keltz, as the wrongly-accusing professor, excels in his role as the antagonist, allowing his character's motivations to never become one-dimensional. Mpho Koaho's portrayal of Eric is equally as compelling - his energy, enthusiasm and humor helps to elevate the film to a level of light-heartedness many modern films have ceased to achieve.

One of Stealing School’s most excellent features is how it tackles plagiarism in a school setting. Although the film's emphasis is specifically on accusations involving plagiarism against Asian students, it also addresses more widespread assumptions about technology's role in our lives. The movie plays with the nuances of sourcing material. It not only delves into the cultural and political components of plagiarism and identity but also incorporates the technological and digital components that come with plagiarism. It highlights the omnipresence of AIs and algorithmic detection systems as reliable resources at schools, and their limitations in maintaining inclusivity and impartiality when evaluating academic excellence.

The movie's themes may sound heavy, however 'Stealing School' handles them with an entertaining lightness without diminishing their importance. The script is well-written; the dialogue is well-timed and seamlessly ties the narrative's complex parts together. The humour is sharp and witty, a welcome relief from the sensitivities which have arisen from similar topics in the real world.

Overall, Stealing School is a film that is well worth watching. It brilliantly blends contemporary issues, humor, and thriller-like elements to make for a unique and unforgettable movie experience. With a cast of excellent actors, tight direction, and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, Stealing School is a must-watch for fans of legal comedies, thrillers or heist films.

Stealing School is a 2021 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 14 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.