Tearing Out a New Leaf: 'Book Week' and the Unlikeable Protagonist

Heath Davis' sophomore work offers viewers a portrait of a man burdened by failed dreams – ones that are met with ineffective coping mechanisms and delusions of grandeur. Coupled with the film's coarse comedic tone and preference for affecting wit over building characterisation, what results is a film that ultimately fails to engender sympathy for its protagonist, writes Mel Campbell.

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inspirational teacher, high school, Alan Dukes, cliche, stereotype, masculinity, slacker, creative man in crisis, Ruben Guthrie, suburbia.