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CLASS ACT
Directed by Sara Sackner.
Produced by Heather Winters.
Written by Sackner, Heather Winters & J.R. Morley.
Director of Photography Mike McGowan.
Edited by Sean P. Keenan.
Music by Elliott Goldkind.
Released by Hart Sharp Video.
Country of Origin: USA. 90 min. Not Rated.
With: Desmond Child, Adam Epstein, Andy Garcia, Jay W. Jensen, & Brett Ratner.
DVD Features: Interviews. Behind-the-scenes featurette.

Art is good. Art is great. And without it we would be nothing but a mass of boring, unimaginative brain matter with really bad math scores. So states the recent documentary Class Act, directed by Sara Sackner. Unfortunately, that's about all it affirms on the matter as it addresses the increasing lack of funding for our country's public schools and the worrisome fact that school art programs (including dance, drama, and music) are getting hit the hardest.

With top-notch support – everyone from Andy Garcia to the governor of Arkansas lend a voice – the film declares the problem is not lack of money, but a tainted mindset that views art education as either a luxury or inferior. After all, where money is needed, money seems to be found (we are still at war, aren't we?). Art education, as the film states repeatedly (and repeatedly), keeps many kids in school, and results in better SAT scores, among other things. Still, that's not so important, is it?

While I appreciate the film's message, the focus on the late Miami Beach drama teacher Jay W. Jensen (who taught the likes of Garcia, songwriter Desmond Child, and director Brett Ratner) doesn't mesh well. The film seems indecisive as to whether it wants to be a plea to save the arts or homage to Jensen, and I would rather see one or the other. The brief coverage of Jensen's homosexuality and friendship with Tennessee Williams, in particular, leave me wanting more.

Throughout the film, I found myself nodding repeatedly – yes, yes, I agree, yes, we need art…so you've got my vote, now what? Similar to the criticism facing Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth, the film hardly offers any action to take. It isn't until over an hour into the film that an opportunity is presented – a quick flash of the AmericansfortheArts.org logo across the screen (I had to backtrack to write it down) and a young girl endorsing the power of donation (Fox News style). I somehow doubt the typical couch potato will jump at either of these.

While I appreciate what this film attempts to do, something as important as art education needs a greater driving force – a force that will inspire action, and render films like this one obsolete.

DVD Extras: Extended and rather bland interviews (it's clear why they weren't included in the film) of Garcia, Child, Ratner, and sports journalist Roy Firestone (who at least does amusing celebrity imitations). Though in the featurette, director Sara Sackner and producer Heather Winters (both former students of Jensen's) offer amusing anecdotes and behind-the-scenes insights. B. Bastron
October 23, 2007