The first trailer for director Craig Zisk’s comedy The English Teacher has been released online.  The film stars Julianne Moore as a high school English teacher whose life takes a turn when one of her favorite students (Michael Angarano) returns to his hometown as a failed playwright.  The teacher convinces her former pupil to stage the unproduced play at her school, but all does not go according to plan.  The comedy appears to be of the screwball variety, with plenty of pratfalls and physical comedy on full display in this here trailer (plus a solid David Mamet joke thrown in for good measure).  There does seem to be a strong emphasis on character, though, and it should be interesting to see how the numerous relationships teased in this clip play out in the full film.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer.  The film also stars Greg Kinnear, Lily Collins, and Nathan LaneThe English Teacher opens on May 17th.

Click over to Apple to watch in HD.

Here’s the official synopsis for The English Teacher:

Linda Sinclair (Julianne Moore) is a 40-year-old unmarried high school English teacher in the small town of Kingston, PA. Her simple life turns an unexpected page when former student Jason Sherwood (Michael Angarano) returns home after trying to make it as a playwright in New York. On the verge of abandoning art and pressured by his father (Greg Kinnear), to face reality and go to law school, Linda decides to mount his play—a dark, angst-ridden, ambitious work—as a Kingston High production, with flamboyant drama teacher Carl Kapinas (Nathan Lane) directing. Now well out of her comfort zone, Linda takes further risks in life and love, the stage is set for a highly comic downfall. With the play, her reputation, and teaching career on the line, Linda finds an unlikely ally in herself. Amidst the ruins of her formerly perfect life, can she find a way to her own unique storybook ending?

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