ChalkMovie Reviews

Poster art for "Chalk."

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Avg. Critic Score: 70 out of 100 Generally favorable reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
14 OK for kids 14+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 80
    L.A. Weekly | Scott Foundas

    Though Akel and Mass share writing credit, Chalk was actually shot in a loose, improvisational manner in the mode of Christopher Guest's films, and its best set pieces are like devastatingly effective pinpricks puncturing the Hollywood hot-air balloon of inspirational teacher/coach melodramas. Read full review

  • 80
    Variety | Justin Chang

    Filtering one school year through the eyes of three young instructors and a rookie administrator, this loosely scripted satire mostly steers clear of cheap shots and over-the-top gags, balancing its comic observations with a real measure of affection for teachers and students alike. Read full review

  • 75
    The Onion A.V. Club | Nathan Rabin

    Chalk pays homage to the kind of teachers students never forget, which makes it all the more perverse that it's so stubbornly, albeit affably, forgettable. Read full review

  • 75
    New York Daily News | Elizabeth Weitzman

    If Chalk had been made by Christopher Guest - an obvious influence - it would get the attention it deserves. Packed with sly jokes, hilarious performances and sad truths, the movie will probably become a cult classic among educators. Read full review

  • 70
    Los Angeles Times | Carina Chocano

    Chalk avoids some of the pitfalls of the mock-doc by showing real affection and empathy for its characters, whose funny lives of quiet desperation inspire more than their share of tenderness. Read full review

  • 70
    The Hollywood Reporter | Sheri Linden

    More a series of loose-limbed vignettes than a sculpted narrative, Chalk lacks a compelling dramatic drive. But the cast creates a fine, improvisatory interplay, captured with verite-style camerawork, and the unforced humor and insights go a long way. Read full review

  • 67
    Austin Chronicle | Marrit Ingman

    Made by teachers for teachers, this local indie which now sports the imprimatur of executive producer Morgan Spurlock offers no easy answers to its statistic that 50% of teachers quit within their first three years on the job. Read full review

  • 63
    Boston Globe | Ty Burr

    The results are about what you'd expect: friendly, unfocused, occasionally laugh-out-loud funny. Read full review

  • 60
    The New York Times | Stephen Holden

    This loose-jointed ensemble comedy is funny in a squirm-inducing way. Read full review

  • 50
    San Francisco Chronicle |

    In general, the humor is understated, excessively so. Read full review

View more reviews for Chalk on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 14+ Mockumentary shines light on high school teachers.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this indie film feels much more like a documentary than a typical high school comedy. Teens may find its sophisticated, character-driven humor funny -- and reflective of their actual school experience -- but younger kids probably won't be interested in the staff's trials and traumas. There's some discussion of sexual orientation, specifically with regard to P.E. teachers. The rare cursing (including "f--k") comes from the students, not the teachers. One teacher is shown smoking; others go out for drinks after work. It's worth noting that there's a lot of jerky handheld camera work, which could be difficult for those who are sensitive to the abrupt movements.
  • Families can talk about how Harrison High is similar to and different from their own experience. How realistic are the teachers and the students? How can you tell that this is a fake documentary, rather than a real one? What tools did the filmmakers use to make this feel like a true story? What do you think a real documentary about an average high school would be like? Does the movie successfully explain why so many teachers leave the classroom after such a short time? If you were Mr. Lowery, would you come back, and, if so, what would you do differently?
The good stuff
  • message true0 Positive messages: High school students and faculty are mostly treated with respect; racially sensitive portrayal of multi-ethnic classrooms; uses humor to illustrate staff insecurity and weaknesses, but doesn't make fun of kids.
What to watch for
  • violence false0 Violence: Some inconsequential tussling between high school students (teacher has to break up a fight).
  • sex false0 Sex: Discussion of P.E. teacher's sexual orientation.
  • language false3 Language: Infrequent, but words include "f--k," "bulls--t," and "ass."
  • consumerism false0 Consumerism: Not an issue
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3 Drinking, drugs and smoking: One teacher is shown smoking; teachers drink in a bar after work on one occasion.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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