Was the actor playing Vernon a little over the top?
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Woodyanders β 8 years ago(March 19, 2018 08:19 PM)
Vernon was clearly a very bitter and resentful guy who hated how his life turned out after deciding to become a teacher. As Carl the janitor points out, Vernon erroneously thought when he decided to become a teacher that it would be an easy job, but soon learned that being a teacher is hard work and tries to justify the lack of effort he puts into being a principal on the bullshit belief that the kids somehow "turned" on him as he got older and became more resigned about his lackluster lot in life. So Vernon basically projects the anger and hatred he feels about how his life has turned out onto the kids. And with Bender being a surly punk rebel type, that makes him a super easy target for Vernon's rage and wrath.
You've seen Guy Standeven in something because the man was in everything. -
ToastedCheese β 4 years ago(December 20, 2021 03:55 AM)
While the kids were stereotypes of what the schools cliques represented, it worked within the context of the script and message, Vernon was the worst stereotype depicted.
He was just pure Asshole and his methods of handling the students would not be accepted today. Yeah sure, Bender was trouble with a capital T, but he was still a teen kid who came from a crap home and an adult like Bender who has been teaching kids his whole career should have known better.
Norman! What did you put in my tea? -
AnthonySocksss β 1 year ago(December 01, 2024 03:12 AM)
Itβs probably the most important scene in the movie, shows that Bender is trapped between his parents and the school system, and no one cares about his predicament.
Vernon is an abusive principal, wielding a position of power over minors, and he takes advantage of that power. and there are plenty of examples like that in real life.
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WarrenPeace β 1 year ago(December 01, 2024 05:17 AM)
You think kids should get a break and not be accountable for their bad actions?
Maybe Bender needed someone to haul his ass around like that.
He was a future criminal in waiting.
If this movie was made today he would show up on Monday morning with a gun and start blasting away in the classrooms and school halls.
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AnthonySocksss β 1 year ago(December 01, 2024 05:46 AM)
Thereβs a fan theory that Bender made up his abusive backstory, his parents are perfectly normal, that Bender burned himself with cigars to keep up the story. But I find the concept of him coming from childhood trauma/abuse more compelling.
My issue isnβt with Vernon disciplining bender, itβs him going on a totally unnecessary rant for some pretty mild hijinx, and threatening to assault a teenager, knowing said kid canβt do anything about it. Later the janitor tells Vernon heβs just too lazy to do his job of teaching kids properly and expects to coast.
Melton1 Wanted for Pedophilia:
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JohnnyBoy β 9 months ago(June 13, 2025 08:48 PM)
Disagree. It was common back then. He nailed that persona perfectly.
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