Cheaters (2000)

"I learned more about the way the world really works from my nine months on the academic decathlon team than most people will learn in a lifetime," ruminates Jolie Fitch (Jena Malone) in the coda of Cheaters, John Stockwell's dramatization of the 1995 Steinmetz school scandal. Fitch is the team leader of the crumbling inner-city school's first "academic decathlon" squad, a group of hard-working kids hopelessly outclassed by the perennial champions from a lavishly funded model school for the gifted and the rich. When a Steinmetz student discovers the question sheet for the upcoming finals, the issue isn't whether to cheat, but how. Stockwell discards easy moralizing and empty platitudes for an ambiguous perspective framed by questions of privilege and prejudice. Jeff Daniels, so long the cinema's hapless nice guy, is excellent as the tireless teacher, a well-meaning idealist who struggles with his inner demons through the ordeal. Malone is refreshing as a street-wise class brain whose ambition drives the team on. Their guilt is the focus of a predatory media scandal, but it's the hypocrisy of the system and the double standards of the gatekeepers that Stockwell takes to task in his compelling drama. Some might call it cynical, but Cheaters is too sharp and smart for such an easy label. Better to call it disillusioned. --Sean Axmaker Amazon.com

Are They Good Guys Or Bad Guys

Jena Malone stars in this movie about cheating on scholastic competition. Though she cheated, she is suppose to be the protagonist, and are we suppose to side with her? I think it is a bad theme, if it is meant to say cheating is okay. I like this movie because I like all Jena Malone movies. Scene where she was interogated, she seems to wear no bra, just a tight white T-shirt. You get to see her puffy nipples, so that was the highlight of the movie for me. February 9, 2008

Unexpectedly Great Film!

I'm not sure how this movie premiered. I think it was on MTV, if I'm not mistaken! Did it come out in theaters?

In any case, it was certainly a sleeper. I had definitely heard of it, but it was not "OVERHYPED" as so many other films these days. So I wasn't expecting much! So imagine my delight, when I came across this DVD in the bargain bin at Walmart, and decided to take a chance!

Well, I'm glad I did! This movie was incredibly good! It really made you think about College (and high-school) life, and whether or not its worth it to cheat on an exam! There was great music, great personality clashes, awesome dialogue, great storytelling from the main female character.

I have actually re-watched this movie 3 or 4 times (probably more, but don't want to exaggerate.), and never get tired of it. It is a great lesson in ethics watching this movie.

Highly recommended!

MC White said: CHECK IT OUT!!! August 23, 2006

It is original

This movie presents a real moral dilemna..should students who have always been thought of as losers take a chance and cheat. The teacher has the toughest decision to make-weather to let his students cheat and what to do if they get caught. Jeff Daniels plays the part well-showing how he is torn-wanting his students to get recognition and wanting to teach them right from wrong. This movie has moral questions that we all face. October 21, 2005

See It

I went to Steinmetz High School before this happened. Steinmetz was not located in the poorer section of Chicago and not only poor kids attended Steinmetz. I think this movie was good. I'm a little disappointed though that Steinmetz is only recognized as the school that cheated. I no longer live in Chicago, however, when I'm asked "Where did you go to school?" I reply "Did you ever see that movie "Cheaters"?" or Hugh Hefner (Playboy) graduated from there. (Betcha didn't know that!) As for Whitney Young, yes at that time they were a bunch of crybabies. I hope this movie goes as a lesson to the kids who feel compelled to cheat. Who knows, they may make a sequel to this movie, eventually. April 3, 2005

Great Movie! Funny and Realistic!

Cheaters is one of the best tv movies ever to come around. Jeff Daniels plays the Academic Decathalon coach who is fed up that the school he works at refuses to contribute any money to their cause and is generally mad about how Whitney Young is favored and his school is poorly funded. This is totally understandable, so when he finds his team with the help of Jena Malone, he really wants to prove everyone wrong by winning. When one of the students gets a copy of the test, they decide whether to look at it and of course can't refuse. The cast is very good here and i found the characters intriguing. This is not some rubbishy movie to pass time, it is well written and seriously interesting. I did of course hate whitney young and wanted steinmetz to win, even if they did cheat. ALthough cheating is wrong, I could see what drove them to want to win. Anyone can. Once they knew they had the test, it would be impossible for them to want to study when they knew the questions were right next to them. The only thing that I did not understand was how they never thougt about what would happen at nationals after they won state. I guess it would be too far in the future, but someone was bound to notice. It is too bad they cheated and got caught i guess. I still hate whitney young more, even though they did something wrong. I also was surprised that a teacher would have the same position on the subject as the students, but I could understand based on how his father worked hard and got screwed. The music in the film is also great. It was completly unfair that whitney young's advisor or whatever wanted them to take the test again, why should they have? That was outrageous and i seriously did hate the snitch in the film. He did not do it to clean his conscience or whatever, no no he wanted to become famous as the person who helped crack the case. Bottom Line: At least rent this movie, you will not be disappointed. It is that good! March 25, 2005

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