Hugh Jackman’s new film has not even been released yet and it’s already causing quite the stir.
The Australian actor, who had great success with his all-singing and dancing film, The Greatest Showman, is showing off his extraordinary talents once again in the feature-length film Bad Education.
Streaming on Foxtel NOW and FOX SHOWCASE from Sunday, May 17, the stand-out film which also stars Alison Janney, is inspired by the incredible true story of a fraud scandal that erupted at a respected Long Island high school in 2002, described as the biggest school embezzlement case in US history.
The film tells the story of Frank Tassone (Jackman), who serves as the charismatic superintendent of Roslyn’s school district. Alongside him is his hardworking assistant, superintendent Pamela Gluckin (Janney) and together, they reign over the Long Island school district on the verge of the nation’s top spot, spurring record college admissions and soaring property values.
While the powerful duo may look successful, they also collude to pull off an extraordinary embezzlement crime, while maintaining order and secrecy – by whatever means necessary.
Unfortunately, as the film is not getting a theatrical release, Jackman will forgo any chances of an Oscar, however, is still eligible for an Emmy which critics are touting success in.
In an interview with Variety, Jackman discussed creating the complex character of Frank who “very few people really saw the real Frank”.
“The role itself was something different from what I’ve done,” he said.
“I liked the idea of someone who is super successful, very, very good at what he did, beloved by the community — and fell down this slippery path. How can someone go from being on a pedestal in a community to being sent to prison? That part I found fascinating.”
Ray Romano (The Irishman) also stars as school board president Bob Spicer alongside Australian Geraldine Viswanathan (Miracle Workers) as a high school student and school reporter Rachel Bhargava who works hard to uncover the truth.
Bad Education is an HBO Film directed by Corey Finley with the screenplay by Mike Makowsky. It is produced by Automatik, Sight Unseen Pictures and Slater Hall. Executive producers Leonid Lebedev and Caroline Jaczko.
Stream Bad Education from Sunday, May 17 at 8.30pm AEST, only on Foxtel.
WATCH: The official trailer for Bad Education.