User reviews

The games are dirty and the stakes are high in the new drama "Submission". Stanley Tucci (sporting a toupee that doesn't look half-bad) is as solid as ever as Ted Swenson, a dispirited college English lit professor in desperate search of a follow-up to a successful debut novel. Addison Timlin is Angela Argo, an admiring and enigmatic student who persuades her prof to critique chapters of her own go at a book. At first Angela projects as timid and unsure of herself and her craft with Ted. But we watch as she transforms from a seemingly scattered coed into a poised and purposeful young woman, and all the while shrewdly laser-focused on a prize she covets above all else.

As the mentorship develops matters inevitably become increasingly complicated between teacher and student. Eventually the relationship makes a volatile shift from nurturing common bond to flashpoint cataclysmic intimacy. Screenplay writer and director Richard Levine presents a dynamic in which it becomes increasingly difficult to discern who is in fact playing whom in the quest for literary fame and fortune.

The supporting cast are quite good across the board in "Submission". The multi-gifted Janeane Garofalo-one of my all-time faves-brings a sense of humor and pathos to the story as Magda, professional cohort and personal confidante of Ted who must help determine a wrenching verdict regarding her friend late in the film. The routinely reliable Kyra Sedgwick makes an impression as Sherrie, a dutifully supportive working wife who has her comfy world shaken upside down in the wake of devastating disclosure. The pivotal restaurant dinner scene between husband and wife is powerful stuff from both of these pros. But it is Sedgwick's performance in particular that infuses these emotionally jarring moments with searing sorrow and strength.

"Submission" opens in New York City on March 2 and in Los Angeles along with other markets nationwide March 9.

It could have had more layers and it left me feeling disappointed that opportunities to do so were not taken. In the end, it lacked intensity and ended up being just a cliche story with no surprises.

This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to attend the 2017 Denver Film Festival premiere "Submission." In a quick summary, writer/director, Richard Levine adaptation of Francine Prose 2006 novel, "Blue Angel," is a bold conversation starter. I found myself laughing at Stanley Tucci performance as the drowning, some-what famous college professor. Laughing in a sense, of relatability. Tucci delivery of the film's narration and in-head page reads were on point. The entire movie Tucci's character deals with an inner struggle of feeling CLICHÈ and washed-up. His performance comes off very personable. You trust this character...

As the movie progress and the lines of student and teacher relations become blurred, actor, Addison Timlin begins to steal the show. Her performance is not just mesmerizing, but manipulative.

Without saying any more about the overarching story, the scenes between Tucci and Timlin were designed in a way to create a conversation. Sexual harassment, the power within that situation and becoming the clichè you don't think you are, are discussed on screen in several different lights.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of the Denver Film Festival screening and would suggest this film to most moviegoers. Enjoy!

Jtncsmistad provided a great review. Please do take a look at it.

To add my thoughts I am a fan of Tucci, Sedgwick, and Garofalo. The first half of the movie held my interest and I thought they all gave great performances but the second half of the movie unfortunately was very predictable. I don't mind predictable with an interesting story but in this case even great acting did not save the story.

Worth a watch and definitely watch if you are a teacher.

A situation quite similar to real life situations.

Her word is always powerful against his word combined with her crocodile tears. Dudes, always record interactions with a female during courtship or dating or even one night stands, or you'll be in a vulnerable situation where society is ready to crucify you.

The lines between a semi-successful, middle-aged novelist/professor and his student are crossed: lines of deceit, intimacy and manipulation. It's a #metoo movement highlighter with the good ol' cliche storyline of a student/teacher relationship and touches on the depths that some will go for success. "Submission" is a slow roller coaster ride of emotions and mild surprises. There is no drop and no climax so if a slow ride is what you desire, press play.

Ancient history repeats itself in the modern college campus.Stanley Tucci does a good job of acting.

Never heard of this one before and thought I would give it a try. Not exactly what I expected and ending was predictable. Wouldn't say I am in a hurry to rewatch it but it wasn't terrible either.

Despite strong performances and good direction this film fizzles out and leaves you disappointed with too many unanswered questions.

Difficult to watch. A well made movie with good story & acting, but the topic was rolled out in a very gritty real kind of way. You can predict disaster awaits the main character in terms of marriage & work. You can sense it is going to happen, and I found it too intense to watch! A realistic negative tragic tale. In a world where we have a tendency to focus on tragedies & problems, I decided to skip most of the movie & seek out something more upbeat or positive.

1. The portrayal of the post secondary "academic community" (in quotes for a reason) was so stereotypically artificial from the parties to the discourse to the mannerisms that it provoked me to write this wearing tweed; smoking a pipe & drinking from my Bordeaux glass or is it a Burgundy glass? 2. The abrasive part of the teaching style was simply made up as were the constant "air quotes". 3. Some viewers condemned the prof for taking advantage - get human & real! 4. The family turmoil from an affair, and the spurious academic committee review seemed too "made-up". 5. Ending had a cheap cute cleverness that fit w/the rest of the movie.

Surprised at the low score on Rotten Tomatoes and by other "reputable" critics. They must have left before Tucci's final speech at the "sexual harassment" hearing. He summed up all the nuance and complexity of the central relationship and the loss of a chunk of his life at a middling college with mediocre PC self-righteous faculty. The only aspect I found unconvincing in the film was the cliche reaction of the wife and daughter: the wronged females, without any exploration of issues of marital and filial loyalty, generosity, acceptance, even the possibility of forgiveness.The rest was beautifully balanced, fleshing out quite satisfactorily the ambiguity of the central relationship. Both parties are responsible and there's no simplistic perspective of the male as sexual predator. On the contrary, the young woman is far more aggressive in using her charms as a means to fulfill her ulterior motives. As a woman, I applaud this narrative and dramatic choice. Most of the time, sexual harassment is a two way thing, females often being more deadlier than the male. The young actress did a beautiful job, but the movie was carried single handedly by Mr Tucci. There's no character he doesn't bring subtlety and nuance to. He's absolutely pitch perfect here as the conflicted, flawed but self-aware central character. His portrayal elicits oodles of sympathy from the viewer. A look, a twitch of the eyebrow, a verbal quip: Tucci is a master of this. I could watch him on a loop forever. Incredibly satisfying viewing.

Im sorry its just,..its so unconditional. and i wish professor remember his condition not just his selfish

Im pissed and super annoyed. I just simply dont like the situation that lead the professor to.. better watch to understand.