Dead Poets Society (1989)

 Dead Poets Society (1989)

Have you ever had a high school English class where you were bored to death as your teacher droned on and on about Walt Whitman? I did which made me appreciate Dead Poets Society even more. This movie is about the love of teaching and how the great teachers resonate with their students and get them to fall in love with subjects they despise. What John Keating was to these students was like how my geometry teacher was with me. More than a decade after graduation, we still communicate over our shared interests. Admittedly a bit one-sided, the film nonetheless has a place in my heart. Robin Williams delivers a committed performance. The young cast is impressive (looking at you, Ethan Hawke.) The drama delivers the emotions (even if you can accuse the film of manipulation). By the end, I was choking up with emotion. I did not care that I saw the ending from miles away. The “O Captain, O Captain” scene tugs me every time I see it. When Robin Williams passed in 2014, this scene was used in memorium for the beloved actor.

After the success of films such as Witness, Peter Weir became in high demand. He was given the script by Jeffrey Katzenberg (who worked with Disney at the time). Weir fell in love with the script so much, he was already in the casting process mere weeks later. The script, written by Tom Schulman, was about Schulman’s life at a Tennessee prep school. Interesting enough, Keating was portrayed as a sick man in the original script. Weir wisely took those scenes away because he felt the film would focus on Keating more so than the students. I believe that was a very wise choice. As much as I want to know more about Keating, the movie is all about the students. The powerful message would deliver less of a gut punch if it wasn’t. Weir created a soulful movie about individualism and free expression. As someone who was moved by several great teachers, Weir captured what it meant to have such people in our lives. For a minute, it made me want to be a teacher.

Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke) is a painfully shy student who finally attends a conservative New England prep school, Weldon Academy in the year 1959. Todd’s older brother was valedictorian at the very same school. His roommate is Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard). Neil is a very bright student who dreams of an acting career but lives under the shadow of his domineering father (Kurtwood Smith). Enter into their lives does the new English teacher, Dr. John Keating (Robin Williams). He encourages the students to follow their dreams and to not be afraid to show who they are. He uses methods such as standing on desks among other methods. He encourages them to join a secret society that he started when he attended school. Each student goes against the status quo and face life-changing moments.

Robin Williams goes dramatic to full effect but every once in a while, he will inject his humor into the proceedings. For those who despised learning about poetry in English class, you will chuckle or even whoop when Williams makes every student tear up their “Introduction to Poetry” nonsense. Who wants to read about parameters anyway? Williams has a strong performance, but the film is all about the kids. The kids go through some dramatic moments that require strong acting skills. The kids were up to the task. The standout is Ethan Hawke. He would, of course, grow up to be a big star. Williams would vouch for Hawke’s intensity. I believed in his character arch the most. He starts the film shy but undergoes a major character transformation. Robert Sean Leonard likewise delivers a great performance. His storyline with his father is a major part of the film, so I will not say more at risk of spoilers. Just bring the tissues.

Dead Poets Society is a film that knows how to make you laugh, cry, and grip your seat with tension. It is also a loving tribute to the profession of teaching. In a world where children are expected to be who their parents want them to be, there need to be adults that challenge this notion…like John Keating. Consequences happen but are necessary in the grand scheme of things. A shoutout needs to be given for John Seale’s excellent cinematography and Maurice Jarre’s memorable score. The drama can be heavily one-sided and there are relationship scenes with a young lady that are undercooked, but those are just minor complaints. Robin Williams and the children are at the center of a story you’ll never forget.

“Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.”

My Grade: A