MovieChat Forums > Monsieur Lazhar (2012) Discussion > Guy with mustache shows up at school, sa...

Guy with mustache shows up at school, says he 'loves children'


Apparently Canada has a real rigid screening process for their teachers because this guy got hired. If a guy with a mustache showed up at a school in America and declared he "loved children" the cops would be called immediately to arrest the suspected pedophile.

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[deleted]

This exaggerated fear that permeates and poisons western society is what the film is rallying against. Bravo.

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I thought they wanted to demonstrate that the school was in a bind and needed someone, *anyone* to be the students' teacher. While this case is extreme, it's true that the hiring process for teachers during the school year can often be expedited because there's so much pressure from the parents to hire someone before too much time is lost.

By the way, what exactly does having a moustache have to do with anything?

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In certain circles, a moustache is considered to be a sign that somebody is a deviant.

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That bothered me too. The very premise that this guy could be hired that easily undermines the rest of the movie for me. Although the rest of the movie seems very true. But then again, maybe it is possible in Canada? I have a feeling that the issues this movie was designed to bring up are so important in the Quebec society today that the plot hole is easily forgiven by the natives (but stands out to the foreigners, especially the Americans).

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I also wondered what all was in that material he handed to the principal, when he first applied. Perhaps he really managed to put together a presentable file of fake certifications, recommendations, and whatever all else would be reasonably required to apply. The movie made it worth my while to let slide the issue of how he'd possibly get hired. Beyond whatever 'records' he managed to obtain or create, there's also the fact that, this being a private school, the principal has much more discretion and power in hiring of teachers, and certain bureaucratic things that might be required for a public school wouldn't necessarily be in force. I decided to assume as well that this was taking place in the context of a relative shortage of teachers, rather than the buyer's market that many beleaguered teachers face these days, in many locales. Thus, the principal acting quickly to hire what seems the best from a paucity of applicants is more understandable. Again, the movie made it worth my while to go along with the premise, and to devise a detail like that, to make it make more sense.





Multiplex: 100+ shows a day, NONE worth watching. John Sayles' latest: NO distribution. SAD.

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According to the DVD description, it is a public school. It may give the impression of a private school because of the uniforms, but it is in Quebec.

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As to the CV and certificates, of course Monsieur Lazhar could have got the whole file correct, he might have used his wife's papers.
But he could NOT have been hired.
To hire him (and pay him) the scool admin needed his Social Security Number (NAS) which shows immediately he is not permanent resident as he claims. SSNs for temporary residents start with 9, permanent residents' with 3. Refugees may have a different number. If he had not yet been given any type of residence he could not have been hired. Perhaps under special authorisation from Immigration Canada, in which case the school master would have known about his status.

Furthermore, the work permit for temporary residents specifies the holder cannot work in certain positions, including teaching.
I was bothered by this huge plot hole, but the movie is excellent and the scriptwriter should IMHO be forgiven for it.

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I'm not sure about Quebec but I live in Ontario and know this would never happen. I have several friends that are trained teachers struggling for work right now. Teaching is a highly competitive field in this province and it is all about who you know. Some stranger off the street with no credentials would stand no chance - moustache or not. Definitely not a Canada thing. I suspect this wouldn't happen in Quebec either but I don't know. Maybe just for the sake of the movie plot.

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[deleted]

HA!

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Don't worry... In Cnada he'd not be hired either. Firstly, he'd need a VISA. Secondly, candidates must pay for a criminal check screening prior to processing and also be members of a local teachers union long before entering the classroom. Canada is just as pedophile phobic don't worry!

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PEDOGEDDON!!!

my vote history:
http://www.imdb.com/user/ur13767631/ratings

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So a fat jolly man such as John Wayne Gacy won't raise any flags because he's a children's clown.

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