Watch Tenured

Tenured is a comedy-drama film released in 2015, directed by Chris Modoono and featuring Gil Zabarsky, Kate Flannery, and Kathleen Littlefield. The film tells the story of Ethan Collins (Gil Zabarsky), an inspired and well-meaning elementary school teacher struggling to regain his passion for teaching as he prepares for a new school year while dealing with harsh realities in his personal life.

Ethan is a single dad who's still dealing with the emotional fallout from his recent divorce. His ex-wife has taken their daughter to Europe for the summer, leaving him alone to wallow in his own self-pity. Meanwhile, his teaching career is on the line as he's about to be evaluated by the school board, which is pushing to fire him for being "out of touch" with the times.

Ethan's also dealing with a new school principal, who's pushing for a more "modern" curriculum, one that uses gadgets and technology to engage students rather than books and papers. Ethan, who's deeply passionate about literature and the classics, is struggling to adapt to the changes and feeling like he's losing control over his own classroom.

As Ethan goes through the motions of preparing for the upcoming school year, he finds himself drawn to Anna (Kate Flannery), a new teacher who's brimming with enthusiasm and optimism. Anna's fresh outlook on teaching makes Ethan question his own abilities and wonder if he's really cut out for the job anymore.

Kathleen Littlefield also stars in the film as Ethan's former flame, who shows up out of the blue and throws a wrench into his already complicated life.

Throughout the film, Ethan grapples with his own insecurities and struggles to regain his passion for teaching, while also trying to manage a difficult and demanding principal and navigating the trials and tribulations of his own personal life. As the school year progresses, Ethan finds himself drawn into a conflict with the administration that threatens to cost him his job and his sense of self.

Tenured is a smart and funny film that offers sharp commentary on the state of education in America today, and the role that technology plays in the classroom. Zabarsky delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as Ethan, capturing the character's inner turmoil and conflicted emotions with great skill. Flannery is also outstanding as Anna, offering a refreshing and dynamic presence that helps breathe new life into Ethan's world.

Ultimately, Tenured is a film about the power of passion and the importance of staying true to oneself in the face of adversity. It's a poignant and thought-provoking work that will resonate with anyone who's ever struggled to find their place in the world or questioned their own abilities. If you're looking for a film that's equal parts funny, poignant, and insightful, then look no further than Tenured.