Rating: 
Summary: stunning!
Review: It's amazing that this sort of thing really happens. But as the movie went along, I could really feel for these charecters and wished they could beat the system. Jena Malone and Dov Tiefenbach are wonderful in the movie...and I never knew Jeff Daniels could pull off such a serious role.
Rating:
Summary: Doesn't Compare to "Stand and Deliver"
Review: The movie doesn't compare to "Stand and Deliver" because Jaime Escalante, the teacher in "Stand and Deliver" worked hard with his students teaching them mathematics and bolstering their self-esteem to pass the Advance Placement Calculus Test. The students were of Latino descent and most of them were from the barrio and the media perception on them was negative. He proved them wrong by standing by his students and delivering to the mainstream that these students weren't as stupid as they were made out to be.
In this movie, the teacher Gerald Plecki taught his students to cheat out of frustration with the school's lack of interest in promoting academics and the drastic budget cuts on the use of equipment (photocopier). Plecki wanted to ensure the students that they were bright and could win the decathalon despite what was happening. But disappointment came when they wer in fifth place. To be first place and go on to nationals they would have to pump harder into their studies. But some of the students had other responsibilities like an afterschool job or babysitting siblings when the parent had to work. The only way for them to get into nationals was to cheat. With help from a student in the group, they were set to win. Through the exhilaration of being champions, they never counted on being thrusted into the other side of the spotlight.
"Stand and Deliver" was a triumph for a teacher who didn't give up on his students and for the students who didn't give up on themselves. "Cheaters" was a downfall for a teacher who was tired of being kicked around by the elitist, the school board, and the faculty and for the students, despite their academic abilities, were tired of being made to feel that they don't count. Nobody likes a snitch as much as dishonesty, but Irwin was in his right to say what he had to say. He watched as his fellow classmates were winning medals, while he was playing judge, which was tearing him up inside. He wrote it down on paper in class, which he had to cover his tracks for the sake of the school and the teacher but it was too much to bear when he knew he wasn't a part of the group anymore. He contacted a reporter and gave her the scoop. Talk about honesty! Despite what had happened, there are some people out there that put on a great show when they are doing far worse than the students and the teacher. To sum it up, like "Stand and Deliver", the movie was great to watch.
Rating: 
Summary: Grossly distorted
Review: The movie in no way depicts what really occurred. I happened to go to Steinmetz when this happened and know ALL of the parties involved. The movie is grossly distorted. Feel sorry for these cheaters??? I don't think so! They knew exactly what they were doing and lied to everyone about it. No morals, no scruples. I cannot begin to describe the disgrace and disappointment we felt. I keep in touch with some of the "cheaters" and they are finally admitting to it but show NO remorse. Sad.
Rating:
Summary: Story behind the story
Review: What a fantastic piece of work. It's sad that with the [movies] hollywood makes us pay $10 to see in the theatre that provides nothing but mental death that a brilliant little films like this go largely unnoticed. We are all taught that cheating is wrong, but this tells the story behind the story. Who are the true cheaters? The underfunded and forgotten children who find an alternative method to level the playing field or the supposed public school that is given nearly unlimited resources to help the chosen few win year after year? Life is war, and rules only serve to help those who can benefit from those rules. The only way to win in war, in business, and in life is to break the rules set by others to confine you into the role they want you to lead.
Rating:
Summary: We have all been there
Review: Whether the movie is accurate or not makes no difference. It was a interesting movie. Anyone who watched this movie and was not reminded of something from their past, has done a good job of lying to themself. I think all high school students should see this.
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