It's decent enough. I think at the very least the story is good and compelling. But I do think the writing and the performances hold the film back quite a bit. Much of the intended emotional moments don't land. The story itself can feel like it's spinning it's wheels and is a bit repetitive. This deflates the emotional momentum of the story frequently. Then when it gets to a moment that is supposed to be moving the performances can't quite carry the emotional weight. I actually think the teacher was the weakest in the acting department. The dialogue in the film doesn't help. I think his dialogue is often the weakest. The kid does ok. He has his moments. I think there was one moment in particular at his mother's grave that he was able to deliver the necessary emotion in the scene and as a result I was able to feel it. So while I have my issues, I still feel like it was worth my time. 7/10