Dead Poets Society (1989)

Director: Peter Weir

Starring: Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke

English teacher John Keating inspires his students to look at poetry with a different perspective of authentic knowledge and feelings.

‘Dead Poets Society’ is one of the top rated films of all-time and also happens to be a multi-award winning film, and its easy to see why. This is a truly remarkable film every parent, especially, should see. Robin Williams and Robert Sean Leonard are exceptional in their respective roles. In fact, the entire cast were very good, and notably also Ethan Hawke.

The love story between Knox and Chris felt forced and was annoying and seemingly out of place in this film. Yes, I understand the need to portray young love, since this is a coming of age film, but there was nothing romantic about them. I found it to be pure lust on Knox’s behalf and Chris eventually fell for him for whatever reason. There is no chemistry whatsoever between them and the film would have been so much better without this love interest. Charlie Dalton’s obsession with women was far more believable and (also) clearly lust, but suited the character and emphasized his personality.

Robin Williams played a very gentle, kindhearted character, always giving advice and putting everyone else’s needs before his own. He not only captures the student’s attention, but also the viewer’s, as he is perceived as a caring, loving person and me as the viewer felt a sense of joy as he nurtured the boys, giving them hope and inspiration – not only on a poetic level, but on life itself. It was delightful to see the boys enjoy his class and looking forward to what he had to offer.

The unexpected ending shocked me to the core, for so many different reasons, and I won’t spoil it for you. It caught me completely off guard. Although this is a film I probably won’t watch again in a hurry (especially now that I know the ending) it definitely is a film worth viewing at least once.

The film received several nominations and won for Best Film, Best Original Film Score, Best Writing, among others.