Critic's Grade: B+

A moving metaphor for the unstoppable drive of the human spirit in the face of oppression, "Dead Poets Society" comes across as a heart-warming and heart-breaking examination of the emotional evolution of a group of students at a prestigious all-male school known for its harsh rules and adherence to rules and regulations. Ruled over by their parents' wishes that their sons carry on the family name with honorable occupations like law and medicine, these students find themselves at a stand-still when they arrive; their English professor, John Keating (Robin Williams), changes all of this, reversing the normal approach to teaching poetry by infusing in their minds a life-affirming love of words and a "Seize the day" attitude that eventually comes to the attention of the headmaster, who will have none of this ruining the solid reptutation of his facility.

With more sugar than a bag of Dixie Crystals, this ode to the poets of yesteryear manages to overcome the predictable nature of its material by infusing the film with solid performances and a series of events that come across as truly moving. There is a central friendship between students Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard) and Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke), and a moving teacher/student bond between Neil and Keating, both of which are shattered in the aftermath of a sudden tragedy that comes as the result of an argument between Neil and his domineering father, who will have the best for his son no matter what the cost. Under the performances of these actors, we truly grasp the broken innocence of these boys, and their rocky passage into adulthood and the understanding that making Mom and Dad happy jeopardizes their freedom to explore and further their own hope, dreams, and aspirations. Directed by Peter Weir with a solid attention to character morals and development, "Dead Poets Society," although not a truly great film, stands apart as a thoroughly engaging experience.

Copyright @ Hauntnut.com

All Reviews by David Litton [Home page]
If you are the author of this review, you may edit it by signing in.