Bad Education: Hugh Jackman HBO film criticised by real-life subject for ‘sordid’ depiction of sexuality

Frank Tassone says HBO film falsely made it seem he was ashamed of being gay

The real-life subject of a new Hugh Jackman film has criticised it for making his sexuality seem “somewhat sordid”.

Bad Education, which received rave reviews after debuting at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2019, tells the story of Frank Tassone, the superintendent behind the biggest school embezzlement in American history.

Tassone reflected upon the film on The Coach Mike Podcast, where he praised Jackman for doing “a very good job”, but took exception to its portrayal of his sexuality.

He said the film gets about “40-50 per cent” of the facts correct and that he was “bothered terribly” by the scenes in which he is shown having an affair with a former student, which he says never happened.

According to Tassone, he had an open marriage and his husband was aware of the affair.

The film also implies that Tassone tried to hide his sexuality as well as the fact he used to be married to a woman, which he also says is false.

“That upset me as well, because I’m not ashamed of being a gay man, and again, they made it seem somewhat sordid,” he said.

“That bothered me and upset me when the detective questioned [husband] Steven, and he implied that Steven didn’t even know I was married. That was not the case. And I don’t understand why they had to bring my sexuality into the film.”

He described watching the film as “challenging” as it “brought back feelings that were hurtful and warranted in many respects”.

Bad Education is available to watch in the US on HBO Go and HBO Now. A UK release date is yet to be announced.