Fallbrook Middle School is typical of what you might find in an affluent suburban area; it is presented as an established school with a tradition, and the students are clearly from prosperous families with educated parents. While this may seem limiting, it actually opens the door for real discussion about education, since the focus is not about students who are underpriveleged or from widely differing socio-economic backgrounds. It is unusual these days to find a film about a middle school that actually discusses education. Although many of the ideas and experiences are simplified and shortened, it is presented with some depth. This is especially true in the case of David Paymer's performance as stuffy biology teacher Matt Warner. Although this part could have easily been made into a stereotype, the story line shows Matt Warner as a dimensional person, with good and bad traits, and really the film is more about his re-awakening as an educator than anything else. Paymer handles this difficult role very well. Ryan Reynolds is great as the charismatic Mr. D. This is a type of part that he excels at, and he plays Mr. D with a dry comic delivery that overcomes some of the less than scintillating dialog he is given to say. Some kudos to the supporting cast, especially the teaching staff, who are presented with personality traits that you often see (or imagine) that middle school teachers must have. These cast members include Leila Johnson as the attractive art teacher who has a crush on Mr. D, Brenda McDonald as the veteran math teacher with sardonic lines, John Astin's cameo as the great Stormin' Norman Warner, and Paul Jarrett as the English teacher decrying the end of the language as we know it. Director William Dear keeps the film moving as a quick pace, and while this film doesn't end up being a great film, it is a very good one for its subject matter and intended audience. It doesn't gloss over elements of life and death that appear in the script but shows them in a way that is moving and empathetic to the audience. It presents views about education from both the students' and teachers' viewpoints. As a result, School of Life is a family film that leaves you with a positive feeling about life and an interesting glimpse into the public school system.