Watch Tenure

Tenure is a comedy-drama movie that was released in 2008. The film stars Luke Wilson, Gretchen Mol, and David Koechner. The movie is about a recently-divorced English professor named Charlie Thurber (played by Luke Wilson) who is up for tenure at his university. Charlie's colleague and friend, Jay Hadley (played by David Koechner), is also up for tenure. However, Jay is far more accomplished than Charlie and has a much better chance of getting tenure.

The movie explores the cutthroat world of academia, where ambitious professors will stop at nothing to achieve tenure. The film also deals with the themes of love, friendship, and what it means to be truly successful. Charlie is a likable everyman who is struggling to make a name for himself in the academic world. He is intelligent and passionate about teaching, but his lack of publications and research make him a long shot for tenure.

The film starts with Charlie's divorce and him moving into a small house. This is also the time when he learns that the department is looking at potential candidates for tenure. Charlie's journey towards tenure is peppered with mishaps and misunderstandings, both in his personal and professional life. The story is set at Grand Lakes University, a fictional institution that is supposed to be located in upstate New York. The college campus serves as the backdrop for most of the movie.

Charlie is a brilliant teacher who is passionate about literature. His classes are always full, and his students adore him. However, his lack of research and published work make him a less than ideal candidate for tenure. Charlie is up against Jay, who is not only more accomplished but also more aggressive. While Jay is always trying to get ahead, Charlie is content with taking things slow and steady.

Things start to heat up when Jay begins to play dirty to get ahead. He starts to spread rumors about Charlie and tries to thwart his progress. However, Charlie is not one to give up easily. He fights back, albeit in his own way. The movie shows the contrast between Charlie and Jay's personalities. Jay is loud, brash, and aggressive, while Charlie is calm, collected, and self-deprecating.

Things take an interesting turn when Charlie meets his new neighbor, Angela (played by Gretchen Mol). Angela is a biologist at the same university, and Charlie is immediately smitten by her. However, he knows that he has to focus on getting tenure, so he tries to put his feelings aside. Angela's character serves as a sounding board for Charlie, and she gives him the strength and confidence he needs to face his challenges head-on.

The movie is a nuanced exploration of academia and the politics that are involved. It showcases how cutthroat the profession can be, and the lengths that people will go to get ahead. While the movie is a comedy, it also has its serious moments, and it doesn't hesitate to delve into heavier themes.

The movie is well acted, and the characters are all fleshed out nicely. Luke Wilson is the perfect everyman, and he brings a warmth and likability to the character of Charlie. David Koechner is excellent as Jay, and he manages to make the character both detestable and pitiable.

In conclusion, Tenure is a charming and insightful movie that will resonate with anyone who has ever worked in academia. The movie manages to balance humor and drama, and it does a great job of showcasing the complexities of the academic world. The movie is well worth watching, and it offers a unique perspective on the challenges of achieving success in the academic world.

Tenure is a 2009 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.