Waiting for "Superman"

Directed by: Davis Guggenheim

Written by: Davis Guggenheim, Billy Kimball

Few movies arrive with more controversy than this one. In the education world, it created quite a stir both in favor of and against the charter school movement.

The film itself discusses the seeming failures of the public school system. From there, it follows the lives of several families as they try to break into the charter school system, seeking an opportunity to achieve more than they might within the typical confines of public education.

Although I appreciate the charter school movement and do see it as a viable alternative worth investigation, I dispute the black-and-white contrast that film presents. (Well, frankly, I argue with the basic premise that the American public school system is a total failure - but that's a debate for another time and place.) Not all public schools are terrible, and not all charter schools are successful. It's not possible to make such broad generalizations with any accuracy, but this film does so and presents it as fact.

My ultimate problem with this film is it's "documentary" status. Although all documentaries have an agenda, few cloud them as "fact" the way this film does.

Still, there's something to be said that it did - even through dubious means - bring public education alternatives to the forefront of the national discussion, if only briefly.

Although I recommend this film, I also ask that you view it with a skeptic's eyes and do your own research before jumping to one conclusion or another. The future of America's youth should not be unduly influenced by a single film. (Unless, of course, that film were "Star Wars.")