By: Anton Massopust III

“It’s only a puff piece, but only if you make it a puff piece,” Frank Tassone said.

HBO’s new original TV Movie that tells the true story of the largest embezzlement scheme ever to target an American school district, which found students in Roslyn, New York (Long Island) robbed of over $10 million in funds. (Source: Esquire – April 25, 2020) The film stars Hugh Jackman, Allison Janney, and Ray Ramano.

Hugh Jackman plays Frank Tassone, a man obsessed with himself. Tassone is the Superintendent of schools in a Long Island District. He cares about the kids, but he is keeping secrets from everyone, including himself. The Assistant Superintendent Pam Gluckin (Alison Janney) and her family use the school’s credit card for their own personal use which included work done on their house, and anything else they wanted or needed. Gluckin got caught, and the Administration then stated that she is “ill” and forced her to resign immediately. They took away her Administrator’s license.

The Scandal goes deeper when student, Rachel Bhargava (Geraldine Viswanathan) who is with the school newspaper was assigned to do a story on the new Skywalk, a program which is described as a means to get from High School to the Future. Rachel interviews Tassone about the Skywalk Program that the school is going to start. Rachel views this article as a puff piece and wonders why the administration is spending money on this program but not spending it on fixing the school and other necessities. 

Rachel decides to find out more information. She went to the basement of the high school to find out more about the inconsistencies of contracts and digs through all the paperwork. She furthers her own investigation which included speaking with contractors and other people involved.

This leads to a larger scandal that goes right to the top to the Superintendent himself. Rachel must eventually make a decision of a moral dilemma of whether or not to expose school system or let this lie standing. 

Based on a true story, “Bad Education” is a good drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

There’s a wonderful performance by Hugh Jackman. He is a major talent who can sing, dance, and act. You begin to like this guy at first, but then find out what a liar he is, and you don’t like him at all by the end of the movie. Academy Award Winner (I, Tonya) Allison Janney is terrific as the arrogant Gluckin who feels she is so smart that she can get away with anything. Ray Romano plays Big Bob Spicer, who is a real estate agent and President of the Roslyn Board of Education.

I really love the performance by Geraldine Viswanathan who plays the school reporter and the ethical questions she must ask herself. Bad Education is available now On Demand on HBO. It has great performances, and definitely worth your time.