It's all too real. To whom much is given, Too much is expected. The competition between gifted, intellectual minds can run the risk of imbedding the notion of WIN AT ANY COST. This than creates a conundrum for those who provide intellectual guidance and empathy. And that could lead to a lot of internal and external problems. Only the "Strong Survive" should be replaced with only The Wise Survive. This is not a particularly engaging film, but it is an extremely relevant film. Just another example of how the need for the right to be arrogant superceded the need for logical tolerance. We have conflicts all priorities.

One of our favorite actresses, Laurie "Lifetime" Fortier, stars as Katherine Carter, a successful publisher with the boutique Barrett press. Her brainy daughter Michelle has won a place on the academic decathlon team at St. Paul High School with the coach the hard-driving teacher the students affectionately call "Mr. Lou." Mr. Lou is unfortunately a nefarious creature who feeds his students pills to keep them alert and later to calm them down. In his past, he failed as a decathlon student because of the lapses of one team member. He has now overcompensated in a form of tyranny, as opposed to teaching. Led by "Lifetime" Laurie, the cast was outstanding in a wide range of characters with one especially rotten apple in the group of students. In a subplot, Katherine and her able assistant Wendy are preparing to publish a book on parenting. Unfortunately, the ebullient Wendy becomes collateral damage in the main narrative of the academic decathlon. The one point that lacked credibility was Michelle's decision to use the drugs offered to her by Mr. Lou. In the process, she became instantly addicted, and a wedge was driven between her and the most supportive person in her life: her mom. There was a brisk climactic scene, as well as an effective denouement that revealed a twist with a new instructor at St. Paul High School, leaving the audience with the feeling that the academic decathlon team is now in good hands.

Overall not bad but there is a big flaw. If this academic decathelon thing is supposed to be inside the high school, why is there no sight of the principal? The guy just does as he pleases wuthout consulting the principal? Or continuing the lessons outside school hours and without parents' written permission? And finally to answer one contributor's question, the girl in the beginning of the film is indeed mentioned later on. She was a member of the team who supposedly died in a car accident. But in fact it was psycho teacher who pushed her into oncoming traffic! One other thing, I hope Megan (Michelle) does not take medication the way she does in the movie! I mean you do not take swig of water first and then pop the pill!!!

When a young teen joins her new school's decathlon team, she realizes that winning is everything to this team. If you aren't on board 100%, then you aren't going to fair well. This film was so much better then most Lifetime movies I've seen lately. Lead actress (Megan Ashley Brown) did a stellar job as Michelle, her emotions and portrayal of someone addicted to drugs was on point. The chemistry between Michelle and Katherine (Laurie Fortier) was very strong. High school mean girl, Keri (Angelina Folino) also did an amazing job making me really not like her. Nice to see strong actors and good directing on Lifetime, hope it becomes a pattern for them.

Michelle, part of a student club, has a driven coach who pressures them to excel at any cost creates plenty of issues! Will she quit the team or stay? You will have to tune in to find out. This wasn't anything special but worth one watch. Always enjoy Laurie Fortier, a Lifetime regular!

Who was the girl at the beginning, when someone pushed her into the traffic? Did she survive? There was no mention of it later. The brightest student is invited to a test club, with strict rules that puts everyone under stress. The teacher in charge of this club is really creepy and I won't mention anymore. This was pretty good.

Great cast and story. Impressed far better then any other lifetime movie I've watched in a long time. Lead actress, Michelle was amazing. The young cast rocked it!

One of the BEST LIFETIME stories ever!! Fantastic acting, I did not expect the acting to be so good! Happily surprised. The story follows a young girl and her Decathlon team. Drugs come into play and we get suspense and death. Lifetime did a great job with this one! Mom and daughter's relationship was very believable and heartfelt.

Funny that this movie is about smart students but the all the "actors" look brainless. A very badly acted piece of trash.

Overall not bad but there is a big flaw. If this academic decathelon thing is supposed to be inside the high school, why is there no sight of the principal? The guy just does as he pleases wuthout consulting the principal? Or continuing the lessons outside school hours and without parents' written permission? And finally to answer one contributor's question, the girl in the beginning of the film is indeed mentioned later on. She was a member of the team who supposedly died in a car accident. But in fact it was psycho teacher who pushed her into oncoming traffic! One other thing, I hope Megan (Michelle) does not take medication the way she does in the movie! I mean you do not take swig of water first and then pop the pill!!!