"They are the elite, it will make them men," pompously stated the DVD cover, purchased at random from a promotion at the supermarket. ..
An ersatz Dead Poets Society?
Comments morons on the cover does not stop in so good way. They promised a work in line with the Dead Poets . Having loved this movie, I decided to buy this DVD, expecting to find a faded version of the film by Peter Weir.
Note to self: never rely on the selling points on the DVD case
The film pleasantly surprised me. It was not a pale imitation of Circle. He adopted a unique perspective on teaching and asking questions that (in my humble experience of spectator), I had rarely seen the movies discussed on the teacher's role, its place in society and his relations with his students.
The main character, William Hundert (Kevin Kline brilliantly played by), Professor of Latin in a prestigious American high school. Her students are the future elite of the country. Hundert takes a more traditional pedagogy, but he teaches with passion and erudition as he commands respect and admiration of all. However, this veteran teacher will face upon arrival in his class Sedgwick Bell, a rebellious teenager and insolent, but son of a senator ...
The usefulness of what is taught
had to expect this kind of questions when teaching Latin and Roman civilization in the U.S. States in the mid- sixties. What surprised our teacher is that she was asked by a senator ...! Who better than it could understand the influence of the Romans on the Organization of American institutions? He would just ask the title he wore!
Teaching, a priesthood?
Professor Hundert is totally devoted to his students, to the point of neglecting his private life. On mature age at the beginning of the plot, it is yet unmarried and childless. It is interesting to note that film Teachers who succeed on a professional do it very often at the expense of their family life or sentimental ( The Dead Poets Society, Writers
...). Later, the viewer learns that Hundert ardently loves a woman. This leaves yet one that will escape the love of his life. Women also married, which I agree is not an insignificant detail. Hundert is a man of principle who refuses to break a couple united by marriage. This is not a sign of emotional warmth. Instead, he remained faithful to this woman married late and may find the following .... to her divorce? the death of her husband? The film is silent on this point, and keep areas of mysteries.
Shaping minds or transmit knowledge?
the middle of the film, Hundert visits to Senator Sedgwick. A powerful man and contemptuous. Their meeting is a strong scene of the film and a very unpleasant time for our teacher. On questioning the usefulness of what he taught, the teacher replied that his role was to shaping the minds of his students. Then he drew the wrath of polititien retorted that so virulent that in no circumstances should allow him to shape the spirit of his son, and he should be content to transmit the knowledge appropriate to the curriculum .
Although the senator is a strong character unsympathetic, one can not help but understand his concern. Students will they reduce to a soft material that their teachers model? How not to worry about through these manipulative excesses?
However, by Hundert, teaching is also to transmit values. The film shows him, a man of principle, which however will discover its limitations and weaknesses.
"Be fair and objective students' wishful thinking?
reputation and talent of Huundert are such that his students devote boundless admiration. Unaccustomed to the insolence on the part of his disciples, so it was particularly upsetting when the arrival of Sedgwick in her class. First conflicting relations evolved substantially. Hundert lives in this disruptive student a challenge: to make him a sensitive and cultured. Then he took under his wing and Sedwick ... him Benefiance menu favored treatment until he went juqu'à distort an evaluation to help his protege ...
Hundert does succeed in changing Sedgwick? ... You know while watching this film that deals with delicate issues related to critical reports from masters to students. It is a sensitive work, inhabited by complex characters and fascinating. I you urge!
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