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The Prank follows high school senior Ben (Connor Kalopsis) who, along with his best friend Tanner (Ramona Young), starts spreading the rumor that their strict and ruthless physics teacher Mrs. Wheeler (Rita Moreno) is a serial killer. Why? Because she failed the whole class endangering Ben's chances for a scholarship. The consequence? Mrs. Wheeler's class start to revolt prompting the above threat and demand for respect.
My wife picked this one primarily because of Moreno (we're both Puerto Ricans) so we were eager to watch our girl kill it, which is exactly what we got. Moreno is clearly having the time of her life playing this stuck-up version of your worst high school teacher. The way that she seamlessly moves from scenery chewing to more subdued emotions and then back to teeth gnawing is just masterful that makes watching this film worth your time.
Unfortunately, she is stuck with a script that seems to think it's more clever than it really is. In a way, the overload of zigs and zags renders most of its own arguments moot, especially when it ramps things up in the last act. Ultimately, the film teases some nuance only to shatter it afterwards, and shove us right where you would expect the film to go if it wasn't smarter, which it isn't.
But it's not for naught. The film also offers a solid supporting performance from the always excellent Keith David, and some solid chemistry between Kalopsis and Young. There are some typical, but still fun "teen movie" moments. But Moreno is the main reason why anyone should watch this, which proves once again why you should respect her.
Grade:
THE PRANK
(2022, Bharoocha)
(2022, Bharoocha)
"Seems to me someone is dying for a week's suspension. So the next person who opens their mouth gets one. You will respect me and this class."
The Prank follows high school senior Ben (Connor Kalopsis) who, along with his best friend Tanner (Ramona Young), starts spreading the rumor that their strict and ruthless physics teacher Mrs. Wheeler (Rita Moreno) is a serial killer. Why? Because she failed the whole class endangering Ben's chances for a scholarship. The consequence? Mrs. Wheeler's class start to revolt prompting the above threat and demand for respect.
My wife picked this one primarily because of Moreno (we're both Puerto Ricans) so we were eager to watch our girl kill it, which is exactly what we got. Moreno is clearly having the time of her life playing this stuck-up version of your worst high school teacher. The way that she seamlessly moves from scenery chewing to more subdued emotions and then back to teeth gnawing is just masterful that makes watching this film worth your time.
Unfortunately, she is stuck with a script that seems to think it's more clever than it really is. In a way, the overload of zigs and zags renders most of its own arguments moot, especially when it ramps things up in the last act. Ultimately, the film teases some nuance only to shatter it afterwards, and shove us right where you would expect the film to go if it wasn't smarter, which it isn't.
But it's not for naught. The film also offers a solid supporting performance from the always excellent Keith David, and some solid chemistry between Kalopsis and Young. There are some typical, but still fun "teen movie" moments. But Moreno is the main reason why anyone should watch this, which proves once again why you should respect her.
Grade: