My Teacher, My Obsession (2018)

There is no "us" or "we"

By: JWBM

Many adolescent girls or boys generate infatuations from a limited world view. While those fantasies often never materialize, in a way they help us formulate what we may or may not want to strive for in future relationships. Once we mature, we realize it's a give and take. Though with a handful of others, something never clicks and puppy love takes a dark and controlling turn.

A ruggedly handsome English teacher—Chris—and his late teen daughter—Riley—move to small town suburbia for a fresh start. Riley soon meets Kyla: a smart, pretty, and determined gal who quickly connects from her attentive and confident nature. Kyla says all the right words, but has other schemes in mind when she sets her eyes on the muscle-bound teacher who's an older and single man. Soon we find out how emotionally manipulative Kyla is to get her way at the expense of others. Nothing is mutual, self-less, or genuinely giving—it's all feigned in a desperate effort to satisfy fantasies and dominate someone else's needs and feelings.

While this didn't have any glaring or outright confusing flaws with the initial story, it still feels somewhat careful and safe as an overall experience. It takes on taboo topics, though the mode of storytelling keeps it simple by analyzing one aspect at a time. It doesn't leave room for surprises or to keep your mind going in different directions, other than what you can somewhat predictably guess will happen next after taking a gander at the trailer. It's about as transparent as a freshly cleaned window on a bright day; not giving the actors much to work with behind the boxed in scope.

"My Teacher, My Obsession" is more a family and relationship drama than it is pulse-pounding thriller. The performances—while not award winning to begin with—were often undercut by over explanation on motivation and feelings, leaving little for the audience to take away after the fact. Instead of centering on the teacher, it keeps him more in the background to further the story by making him oblivious and have mental blocks to put the obvious pieces together of practically anything in front of him. I mean, the guy is an English teacher with perspective and analytical skills. This is not "Fatal Attraction" with a back and forth, cat and mouse game. Instead we get to watch Kyla's step by step planning—behind the scenes and in front of others—making any bit of daring bite the narrative could have had never break the skin.

Rating: 4.5/10

Director: Damian Romay (Below the Surface)
Actors: Lucy Loken, Rusty Joiner, Laura Bilgeri
Info: IMDB link
Trailer: Youtube link