The principal (Marcia Gay Harden) is being fired, and her faculty (Christina Hendricks, Blythe Danner, William Petersen, Lucy Liu, James Caan) look hollowed out and spent.

NEWYORKER: Not Child��s Play

Amid the overkill, there are scenes of a sudden and startling beauty, and the impotent ranks of teachers are played by a cast of surprising (if underused) power, including Marcia Gay Harden, Christina Hendricks, Blythe Danner, William Petersen, Lucy Liu, a tweedy Tim Blake Nelson, and, best of all, James Caan.

NEWYORKER: Movies