Meryl dominates the proceedings. She simply disappears into the role, and the movie, for all its educational impulses, becomes about watching her do it.

The standard plotline of a teacher bearing the torch of liberal enlightenment to an educationally bereft group comes off rather dubiously here.

It may be premature to think Craven just doesn't spark outside the horror genre, but there's nothing here to suggest the opposite.

...the picture grows increasingly engrossing as it builds towards its tremendously satisfying finale...