THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 24, 1996 TAG: 9604240028
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Movie Review
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
UNINHIBITED by either the Constitution of the United States or any real sense of credibility, ``The Substitute'' proves that a nonsensical action flick can still entertain us, as long as it sends signals that it's not really trying to make sense.
``The Substitute'' suggests that the problem of violence and mayhem in inner-city schools might well be solved if only we sent in a mercenary to run the classroom. This would be a tough Vietnam veteran with martial-arts savvy, someone like Tom Berenger.
We aren't supposed to think logically during the unreeling of ``The Substitute.'' This is the kind of movie in which a landlady complains about the noise of a whopping fight, but doesn't hear the shootout that occurs moments later. It's a movie in which we're supposed to believe that a high school has a principal who is operating a drug cartel out of the basement.
We're also supposed to go along with the fact that Berenger throws five students out the library window without either the police or parents raising a ruckus. The number of dead, or injured, bodies around the high school would be a real challenge to any janitorial service.
No matter. This movie seems to take pleasure in its silly plot, playing it seriously all the way.
The surprising thing is the likable and almost tongue-in-cheek performance from Tom Berenger, an actor who is usually deadly serious. He's a mercenary but he's a gentleman about it, treating his girlfriend (Diane Venora) with some degree of respect.
The plot goes into motion when he masquerades as a substitute teacher at the horrendous Columbus High School in Miami to get revenge upon the bullies who mugged his teacher girlfriend. It isn't long before he uncovers a bigger plot than just unruly students. Unlike Glen Ford (way back in ``The Blackboard Jungle'') and Michelle Pfeiffer (more recently in the dreadful ``Dangerous Minds''), Berenger has more to deal with than mere ghetto sociology.
Ernie Hudson (``Ghostbusters'') is an outright evil force as the principal, aided by his teen henchman Juan, played by rapper Marc Anthony.
Venora (``Heat''), like Berenger, has been underrated. She does as much as possible with her role as a feisty teacher who has to accept aid from her boyfriend.
This may, at long last, be the commercial hit that will lead to starring roles for Tom Berenger. More than just the flexing, scowling hunk he's been asked to play so often, he's actually appealing here. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
MOVIE REVIEW
``The Substitute''
Cast: Tom Berenger, Diane Venora, Ernie Hudson, Marc Anthony,
Glenn Plummer
Director: Robert Mandel
MPAA rating: R (violence, language, drug references)
Mal's rating: two and 1/2 stars
Locations: Cinemark, Greenbrier Mall, Chesapeake; Janaf, Main
Gate, Norfolk; Columbus, Kemps River Crossing, Lynnhaven 8, Virginia
Beach.
by CNB