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Teacher is a 2019 independent film starring David Dastmalchian, who also wrote the screenplay, Kevin Pollak, Curtis Edward Jackson, and Matthew Garry. Directed by Adam Dick and assisted by cinematographer Nathan Eddy, Teacher is a dark thriller that explores the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and atonement. The movie follows James Lewis (Dastmalchian), a substitute teacher who has been released from prison after serving time for a violent crime he committed when he was a teenager. He is still haunted by the tragedy and is trying to make amends by teaching students in a rough neighborhood in Chicago.

James is a mysterious and enigmatic character who keeps to himself, but his teaching methods pique the interest of his students. He doesn't follow the established rules of teaching and prefers to be more unconventional in his approach. He talks about his past experiences and uses them to teach his students about empathy, forgiveness, and redemption. He tries to instill the qualities of a good human being in them while also trying to come to terms with his own demons.

The story takes an interesting turn when James learns that one of his students, Dre (Curtis Edward Jackson), is involved with a local gang. Dre's older brother, Tru (Matthew Garry), is the leader of the gang and sees James as a threat to his brother's allegiance. Tru and his gang members harass James, and at one point, wreck his trailer home, but James doesn't retaliate. He continues to teach and tries to connect with Dre, who he sees as a promising student, despite his affiliation with the gang.

Along the way, James also makes a friend in another teacher, Dave (Kevin Pollak), who sees the potential in James and helps him get a full-time teaching job. Dave is a more orthodox teacher, but he is impressed by James's worldview and finds inspiration in his teachings.

The movie builds up to a tense climax when Tru and his gang members target James and Dre, and James is faced with a difficult decision. He must use his teachings of non-violence and empathy to either save Dre from the gang, or succumb to revenge and violence.

Teacher is a thought-provoking movie that explores the complexities of human nature. It raises important questions about how we deal with our past mistakes and how we can make amends for them. The screenplay is well-written, and the cast delivers strong performances, especially David Dastmalchian, who brings depth and nuance to his character.

The cinematography and sound design add to the overall atmosphere of the film, which is dark and somber, but also uplifting in its message of hope and redemption. The movie does not shy away from the harsh realities of life, and the violence depicted is graphic and intense, but it is necessary to the story.

In conclusion, Teacher is a gripping and emotional movie that is worth watching for fans of independent cinema. It is a testament to the power of teaching and human connection, and it leaves the viewer with a message of hope that even the most damaged among us can find redemption.

Teacher is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.