Miss Stevens - A Movie Review

A teacher’s job is not easy. Take this time to thank them.

Following a road trip, Miss Stevens aired in theaters in 2016. A young single teacher drives three of her students to a state performing arts competition. During the weekend, they all learn an important lesson of which they were unaware.

Take a moment now to reflect on what being a teacher means. Miss Stevens is an underrated and impactful drama. In this moving picture, viewers are given an inspiring lesson on how teachers help their students.

Lily Rabe’s connection to her character was deep. A teacher’s life outside of school has always been a curious thought to students. Sad and lost, Miss Stevens puts her student's needs before her own. I liked Rabe’s awkward dancing during one party scene. Rabe delivered a monologue right from the heart.

Character development is at its best in Miss Stevens. The interactions between the students and Miss Stevens are essential to their growth. Each bearing a different personality, Timothee Chalamet, Lili Reinhart, and Anthony Quintel worked great together. This film gave each of them a chance to showcase more of their talents.

Chalamet was noteworthy in his performance. This is where he was starting to come into his own as an actor. Scenes between Miss Stevens and Billy spoke to me. We have to make an effort to get to know teachers in our journey of education. Chalamet bore an excellent monologue exploring a noteworthy range.

No matter how small their part was, everyone’s role is important to the film. It doesn’t matter if you are on-screen for a minute. We all have an impact. Other credits include Oscar Nunez, Rob Huchel, Bam Hall, Noah Gray-Cabey, Jammie Patton, and Mike Holley.

Each shot of the film was perfectly set up to convey empty space. Excellent locations were captured of land, an empty room, or the camera following characters from behind. The long shots of a room embody the emotion. I also liked the quick shots.

Julia Hart emphasizes what it means to be a teacher. They don’t have an easy job, but they manage it with mitigation. Hart dictated poignant moments. The best scene was when Miss Stevens opened up about her mother to Billy. In some ways, we have all shared a moment like this with our teachers.

We get to know the characters through conversation. Hart worked closely with all the actors, helping them invest in the character’s inner dilemmas. The dialogue is another highlight of this film. Hart invested in the characters recognizing coming-of-age that we can all relate to.

Aside from sitting in a classroom, you don’t know your teacher/students. Getting to know your teacher is a focal point of school. It’s something that I wish I took advantage of more, specifically in high school. We’re all locked up in some way.

Miss Stevens studies the student/teacher relationship by taking a road trip. My favorite concept. There’s always a conflict during a road trip. You never know who you will get a chance to talk to.

We’re all trying to figure our lives out no matter the age. Teachers are the best influential figures to pass encouragement. Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts. Get involved in students' lives outside of school. It’s not just what’s about on the inside.

Whether you are a teacher or a student, you need to put Miss Stevens on your watch list. This film deserves more attention. By the end of it, I had a big smile on my face. Go find it on Hulu and enjoy.