As I write this post, it has been a year since Robin Williams passed away. Yet, last summer, when we were watching films from the 1980s, Williams had just died. It was a no-brainer to rush in a film by the great actor/comedian, and "Dead Poet's Society" was the obvious choice.
Specs:
2 hours; PG
Our family's average rating on a scale from 1-10:
7.63
More about the film and our reaction to it:
As much as everyone praises this movie -- and as much as it deserves praise -- families ought to tread with caution when deciding if it is for them. For starters, this film is highly unsettling, disturbing and distressing. It deals with rich kids at a high-class private boarding school and their parents' high-class expectations. Robin Williams delivers an incredible performance as the magnetic and brilliant educator who sparks the kids' interest in poetry, famously inviting them to seize the day ('carpe diem'.) So what's the problem?! A few things; for starters a main character that we spend the movie learning to care for ends up committing suicide in a devastating turn; further, Williams' character, who is deeply beloved, loses his position at the academy in a tearful ending. It is also very painful and sad to watch a film about suicide, knowing that Williams himself succumbed to that fate. There is a tragic aura lingering about everything his character stands for when the actor delivering the upbeat message suffered such a tragic end.
In other words, like many Robin Williams efforts, the film is beautiful, profound and deep, but also quite melancholy. Yes, there are all the elements one expects from a classically excellent teacher film. In fact, this one often rises to the top of the class in lists ranking the best of that genre. So if your kids are mature enough to handle the film, you simply can't go wrong with the experience. But Dead Poets Society isn't for everyone and I would strongly caution families with kids under 12 to stay away. (By the way, on the tally of parent cautions, beyond the elements just mentioned, please note that there is a scene where the boys are looking at a girlie magazine and there is a surprising amount of nudity shown for a PG rated film as the magazine photo fills the screen for several moments.)
If you do watch, however, you should know that you'll be treated to one of Williams' best performances, some beautiful cinematography, poignant dialog, and an excellent supporting cast, along with classically goose bump inspiring moments like the boys standing on their desks to bid farewell to their teacher.
Iconic image:
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