Guess What We Learned in School Today?

Guess What We Learned in School Today? is a 1970 comedy film directed by John G. Avildsen, who would later become famous for directing blockbusters like Rocky and The Karate Kid. This film, however, demonstrates a much different, more experimental side of the director’s creative spectrum.

The movie investigates American society during the 1970s, observing the cultures and structures of family, school, and various government services. More broadly, it scrutinizes and satirizes the moral hypocrisy of these institutions, unpeeling layers of cultural and social expectation to expose the incongruities underneath.

The storyline follows two suburban Connecticut families and their approach on controversial, pressing issues such as sex education and its association with their children's public schooling. The narrative of Guess What We Learned in School Today? is significant because it pushes past the limits and explores subjects that were declared taboo back in the 70s. Its confronting approach to adolescent sexuality and its effect on the familial, school, and social surroundings makes it a memorable production of that era.

To better illustrate the hypocrisy, the movie exhibits the conversations adults of the community have about sex education, and how they are often masking their own understanding and intolerances of these issues. There’s also plenty of sharp, wry humor throughout the film, as it uses comedy to expose the hypocritical nature of the characters and the system they are a part of.

Although the plot is thematic, it doesn't follow a linear path, instead shuffling through perspectives of different characters, mainly parents and their kids who are at the brink of adolescence, as well as a school psychologist. The film introduces each of the families separately, showcasing their idiosyncratic dynamics, then slowly causing their lives to intersect.

Staring some well-known actors such as Dick Van Patten, Bob Backus, and Katey Sagal, Guess What We Learned in School Today? creates a stark, satirical view of American family life. The film, made at the dawn of a new era of independent filmmaking, also stands as a testament to the industry's shift towards more open, provocative content.

Avildsen's approach to portray social hypocrisy and contrasting elements in a familial setting make Guess What We Learned in School Today? an interesting watch. Though handled in a lightly comedic and slightly provocative manner, the movie brings up significant questions like what should children be taught about sex, when, and by whom – questions that remain as relevant today as they were when the movie was released.

However, due to some mature themes and mildly suggestive content, discretion is advised for younger viewers.

Guess What We Learned in School Today? might not be as mainstream or polished as some of Avildsen later movies, but it is an important example of his commitment to capturing the dilemmas of American society and using cinema as a tool for social commentary. Fans of Avildsen’s larger hits might be surprised and intrigued by this early work — a raw and provocative piece that borders on the sensational, yet remains authentic in its brutal honesty and humor.

Whilst unfortunately, it was not widely released, nor won awards, this film is undeniably impressive in context, providing a glimpse into an era of awakening and transition, as it manages to intricately showcase the permeating anxiety and uncertainties of the time.

In conclusion, Guess What We Learned in School Today? is a time capsule that offers both a historical perspective of a certain era and an examination of the timeless themes of societal hypocrisy, familial bonds, and arrival of adolescence. As such, it is guaranteed to evoke thought-provoking discussions amongst viewers, as well as hearty laughter from the sharp comedy. This movie entertains, intrigues, and educates- a rare combination that makes it a worthwhile watch for aficionados of dark comedy and social satire.