Standardized Test

Author(s): Connor Campbell
Location: Texas

"Standardized Test"

Directed by Christopher Guest
Written by Christopher Guest & Eugene Levy

Main Cast

Steve Carrell- Mr. Downey
Eugene Levy- Mr. Saunders
Jane Lynch- Ms. Davis
Catherine O’Hara- Mrs. Lanning
Sandra Oh- Ms. Nguyen
Parker Posey- Ms. Wiley
Fred Willard- Superintendent Julian
Tina Fey- Mrs. Little

Tagline: "Pass the FAIL"

Synopsis: The faculty at Shadow Ridge High School was an odd one. The principal, Mr. Downey had just been named principal after being principal of Maple Lawn Elementary for 6 years. He was excited to be a high school principal and nothing would ruin his experience, except maybe his colleagues. The head assistant principal Mr. Saunders was a mess, often coming to work still a little buzzed from the night before. One of the counselors, Ms. Davis recommended that troubled students to have a lot of sex, explaining it would make everything better. Every year, students in Florida have to take the Florida Assessment of Intelligence Levels, or the FAIL. When Shadow Ridge got their results back, only 56% percent of their students passed. Now, the school’s reputation was ruined and the state cut almost all of the school’s funding. Mr. Downey was a joke.

ONE YEAR LATER

The teachers at Shadow Ridge decided they were not going to be humiliated again, so Ms. Wiley and Ms. Nguyen came up with a plan to cheat. They would look over the student’s shoulder while they were testing and would give them a series of taps on the shoulder. One meant A, two meant B and so on. Mr. Downey, determined to salvage his name quickly agreed. Only Ms. Lanning and Ms. Little refused to cheat. Regardless, the plan was a success with a 98% passing rate. But when Superintendent Julian pays a visit to the school suspicious about the test scores, what is Mr. Downey willing to do to keep his reputation?

What the Press would say:

From the people who brought you Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind and For Your Consideration comes their newest mockumentary “Standardized Test”, the story of school teachers in Florida who cheat to give themselves a good reputation. Steve Carrell is amazing as the self obsessed principal. His performance is funny but smart at the same time, like a mature version of Borat. Eugene Levy is good as the alcoholic Mr. Saunders and Jane Lynch gives a power house performance as the misguided school counselor. Both performances are witty and top notch. And from the supporting cast, Parker Posey and Fred Willard stand out, Parker Posey as the Algebra teacher with a touch of OCD, and Fred Willard as the superintendent who is trying to find answers as to why the school’s test scores sky-rocketed. The ensemble is amazing and Christopher Guest has directed a comedic masterpiece. Levy and Guest have done it again and this time, the academy will have a hard time ignoring this one.

FYC

Best Picture
Best Director- Christopher Guest
Best Actor- Steve Carrell
Best Supporting Actor- Eugene Levy
Best Supporting Actor- Fred Willard
Best Supporting Actress- Parker Posey
Best Supporting Actress- Jane Lynch
Best Ensemble (SAGS)
Best Picture- Musical or Comedy (HFPA)
Best Original Screenplay- Christopher Guest & Eugene Levy