The Truth Behind Superman

Jason Richwine / October 26, 2010

The documentary film Waiting for Superman follows five children and their families as they struggle to find educational opportunities.  Fed up with the ineffective public schools in their communities, but unable to freely transfer their tax dollars to a school of their choice, the families enter lotteries for the few available slots in private and charter schools.  As an unapologetic denunciation of the American educational system, the film features families openly weeping at the prospect of losing the lottery and returning to the public schools.

Opinions will vary about the movie’s dramatic style and presentation.  Some viewers are themselves moved to tears, while others chafe at the what they see as an overly emotional message too high on idealism.  Put Ross Douthat of the New York Times in the latter category.  The film is “manipulative, simplistic and more than a little bit utopian,” he wrote in a recent column.  He was quick to add, however, that the director’s “prescription—more accountability for teachers and bureaucrats, and more choices for parents and kids—deserves all the support his film promises to win for it.” (more…)