Words and Pictures

At a private prep school, a Honors English teacher (Clive Owen) and a Honors Art teacher (Juliette Binoche) are at odds with each other insisting their craft is better than the other's; thus the film's title. This romantic comedy/drama is a little slow to develop, but Owen & Binoche are wonderful as flawed characters with good intentions. For one alcohol threatens to destroy their career & personal life and a physical condition frustrates the other's passion to create & relate. Their charming love/hate rivalry challenges these two individuals who are off their game to elevate themselves and their students to a higher level of achievement. The beauty of the written word and the visual arts are highlighted in this inspirational movie.

Alien gives it 3 "the great debate" stars out of 4.