Three rookie teachers and one unenthusiastic assistant principal face a rambunctious student body, a cantankerous set of colleagues, embarrassing rumors, equipment malfunctions and various absurdities at Harrison High, a typically provocative and volatile (although fictional) public school in Austin, Texas. The documentary-style comedy won several awards, including Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast at the 2006 Los Angeles Film Festival.
Chalk is a message from the horse's mouth, and is thereby humorously instructive without ever becoming sarcastic or judgmental.
– Andrew Sarris,
New York Observer,
13 Jun 2007
fresh:
The movie offers some modest, amusing and true lessons about an honorable profession.
– Lisa Kennedy,
Denver Post,
28 Jul 2007
rotten:
Chalk is a gentle mockumentary about high school teachers -- so gentle, you wonder why anyone bothered. So gentle, it verges on 'what's the point?'
– David Wiegand,
San Francisco Chronicle,
7 Sep 2007
rotten:
Chalk might have been both funnier and more penetrating as a real documentary.
– Ty Burr,
Boston Globe,
14 Sep 2007
fresh:
There are still moments when the tone is uncertain and the actors visibly struggle, but for the most part there's a freshness about the performances that could probably not have been achieved in any other way.