Presented through a combination of interviews with important leaders of the education sector, and a barrage of animated statistics, the film is not a simple “ooh and ahh” documentary, but rather a call to arms for the audience. Geoffrey Canada, creator of a New York City charter school that sees children “from cradle to college,” appears as a sort of mythical Charter School Savior to Harlem. The film applauds charter schools aim, following the (sometimes heart-breaking) stories of several adorable young students in their experiences in a charterschool lottery.
The film presents an excellent question: “how can we make the education system better for our children?” but we would need a five-part film series in order to come up with any answers. Not only does Guggenheim cover the charter school option, but he suggests eliminating the teacher’s unions, closing failing schools, and firing poor teachers. OK, assuming for a moment that all of this is possible, what happens now? This is “Superman’s” biggest issue: it is ultimately a preachy film that simplifies both the causes and solutions for our problems in education.
Throughout the film, Michelle Rhee, recently-resigned former Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools seems to be making widespread change in her district in a way that simplifies the work that she does. Underperforming teachers? She successfully fires them. Failing public schools? She closes 23 schools and fires their principles. But missing from Guggenheim’s voiceovers is the educator’s greatest weapon: love for education. The film is too quick to denounce failing teachers, and seems incapable to admonishing those who support children. Incapable only because Guggenheim’s first film has this already covered, and he refers back to his older work several times throughout.
So, my suggestion? This documentary will definitely be on the Oscar’s short list, and will be appearing on many Netflix queues next semester. I only hope that those future teachers out there are listening.
“Waiting for Superman” receives 3 “Up, Up, and Away’s!” out of 5.