'The Tutor' is very good at being very bad
HANDOUT
In the spirit of generosity and understanding, let’s consider what “The Tutor” was, in theory, attempting to do. Conceptually, I guess, there may have been an OK always-a-bridesmaid-never-a-bride idea about a blue-collar tutor (Garrett Hedlund) being quietly resentful of his wealthy clients, and the explosion triggered when this father-to-be (his girlfriend is played by Victoria Justice) collides with the past as well as a recognition that rich folks are people too. Sounds juicy, sort of?
In execution, though, this supposed psychological thriller drives into every plot hole and then unites them into a canyon. Forgiving viewers might get some laughs out of the nonsense, like Ethan (Hedlund), who has supposedly spent years demonstrating patience and people skills as a tutor, doing absolutely nothing to sell himself and his relevant experience when considering a job in the service industry. Or just the premise of a tutor who is in such high demand that international high rollers fly him around the world but still has no money. Or the lack of vetting for new clients or the way that Ethan’s employer operates period. It’s all quite stupid.
Does this matter when streaming a vaguely salacious, generally underwhelming 90 minutes of beach-reading screen-trash? Up to you. As Ethan’s new student Jackson, Noah Schnapp is more committed and layered than anyone else here. But Ryan King’s script doesn’t understand how to use clues and red herrings, and the final scene doesn’t come close to working based on what we’ve learned about the characters. Meanwhile, elements of parenthood and trauma and blackmail are formulaic at best, and the class issues are sloppy and meaningless.
Paramount’s new “Fatal Attraction” series delivers the thought-provoking chaos you’re seeking. “The Tutor” flunks at nearly every turn.
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