That's What I Am

PG

Released Apr 29, 2011

1 hr. 41 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

60%

20 Reviews

Tomatometer

68%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A boy (Chase Ellison) learns about appearances, tolerance and other concepts when his teacher (Ed Harris) pairs him with a misfit student to work on a class project.

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isla s

This is a bit of a cheesy/cliched film but its quite watchable. Its entertaining and features some decent performances. Its not a brilliant film as such but its not awful either. I wouldn't especially recommend it as such but I wouldn't go out of your way to avoid it either - take that however you like.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

That's What I Am Directed By: Michael Pavone Starring: Ed Harris, Chase Ellison and Molly Parker Plot: A coming-of-age story set in 1965 that follows 12-year-old Andy Nichol (Chase Ellison), a bright student who, like most kids his age, will do anything to avoid conflict for fear of suffering overwhelming ridicule and punishment from his junior high school peers. Everyone's favorite teacher, Mr. Simon (Ed Harris), pairs Andy with the school's biggest outcast and social pariah, Stanley, aka "Big G" (Alexander Walters), on a critical term project. Sporting thick orange hair, a head too big for his body and ears too big for his head, "Big G" has been the object of ridicule since grade school. Before long, Andy will learn that there was truly a method behind Mr. Simon's madness as to why he teamed these two up. As the story unfolds, Mr. Simon finds himself the target of a malicious rumor after Principal Kelner (Amy Madigan) suspends a school bully for brutally beating up a female classmate whom he thinks has "cooties." When Andy watches "Big G" fearlessly confront the school bully, a series of events are triggered which change the lives of both young men - and their teacher - forever. Much to Andy's surprise, "Big G" is a brilliant, kind, tolerant and decent human being who has more dignity than anyone Andy has ever encountered. Review: This is one of those feel good movies that you should watch with the whole family. It had a Wonder Years feel to it and a great message. Even though this was a direct to DVD film it has the big budget feel and I think you will enjoy it greatly. Rating: 8/10 Recommendation: Rent at Bronco Video or where ever you're able to rent DVDs.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Audience Member

Good movie with randy or ton.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Audience Member

Sappy and overwrought with sentiment. Right up my alley. Ed Harris never disappoints.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

Fabulous coming of age story set in 70's. Social issues that are very relevant today. Loved it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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Audience Member

I wasn't expecting much from this movie but it really delivered. Despite its apparent cheese factor, it had an excellent message. It is a good movie to show to children as part of anti-bullying education.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

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Michael Pavone

Director

Ed Harris

Mr. Simon

Chase Ellison

Andy Nichol

Molly Parker

Mrs. Nichol

Daniel Roebuck

Mr. Nichol

Randy Orton

Ed Freel

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Jesse Cataldo

Slant Magazine

The latest (and by far most sneaky) attempt to slip one of its wrestlers into multiplexes, WWE Films' That's What I Am is surprisingly low on testosterone.

Rated: 1.5/4

May 9, 2011

Full Review

Ian Freer

Empire Magazine

Charming but conventionally plotted, it's a gentle ride that's lit up by compelling turns from Harris and Ellison.

Rated: 3/5

May 9, 2011

Full Review

Peter Rainer

Christian Science Monitor

Since a large portion of the film is taken up with the theme of school bullying, it may have some contemporary relevance, but good intentions do not always a good movie make.

Rated: C

Apr 29, 2011

Full Review

Roger Moore

Tribune News Service

The only half-decent picture to come out of World Wrestling Entertainment's years-long experiment with making movies

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 13, 2013

Full Review

Carrie R. Wheadon

Common Sense Media

Message movie about tolerance has a few mature themes.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 4, 2012

Full Review

Ed Whitfield

What Culture

That's What I Am isn't a movie, sadly, it's an unreconstructed piece of television and one that's suffused with the values of the US networked shows of yesteryear.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 12, 2011

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Synopsis

A boy (Chase Ellison) learns about appearances, tolerance and other concepts when his teacher (Ed Harris) pairs him with a misfit student to work on a class project.

Director: Michael Pavone
Screenwriter: Michael Pavone
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Company
Production Co: WWE Films
Rating: PG (Thematic Material Throughout|Some Bullying|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 29, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 27, 2016
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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