Directed By: Peter Weir
Written By: Tom Schulman
Staring: Robin Williams, Ethan Hawk, Robert Sean Leonard, Josn Charles, Gale Henson, Dylan Kussman, Allelon Ruggiero, James Waterston, Norman Lloyd, Kurtwood Smith, and Carla Belver
Sucking the marrow out of life doesn’t mean choking on the bone. -John Keating
Review
The mysteriously quiet Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawk) has been sent to a private school where his brother was once valedictorian. He is roomed with the ever popular and smart Neil (Robert Sean Leonard) who suffers the burden of a dictatorial father. The year begins with a new English teacher, who specializes in poetry. Mr. Keating (Robin Williams) is immediately regarded as unorthodox as he requires his class to remove the introduction of their books and throw them away. Though he may have been regarded as eccentric and peculiar, he catches the interest of many of the boys in class, especially Neil, and soon many of the boys are inspired by the implications poetry and freedom of expression that Keating has offered them. The idea to think for one self and be individuals affects each both differently and indefinitely.
Peter Weir beautifully paces the movie by setting up small beats where the seeds of Keating’s influence has been planted. It doesn’t happen all at once, but by the time the boys of the Dead Poets Society have become full blown free thinkers seeking to Carpe Diem through their lives, the story hits a tragic speed bump that sets up the final scene that the film is so known for.
Dead Poets Society is actually a quiet, subtly inspiring film that’s message while quite obvious, is shown in ways that it affects different people. But the film is anything but banal, thanks to Peter Weir’s marvelous directing and the standout performances of the members of the Dead Poets Society, Robert Sean Leonard in particular. Robin Williams plays his role as Keating low key, and allows his influence to mirror through the boys, rather than play the role in his usual over the top manner. It was a subtle and powerful performance.
Dead Poets Society may be about being an unconventional free thinker, but the poetic nature of the story is brimming with romance, the excitement of youth, and the forging of friendships and bonds that nothing can break. In the final scene when Todd Anderson finally finds his voice, tears sprung to my eyes, and helpless to fight them, poured down my cheeks.
“O Captain, my Captain.”
Dead Poets Society is a rare gem indeed.
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I am still so very peeved that Robert Sean Leonard — that would be Dr. Wilson on “House” — did not win an Oscar for his performance here. Much as I enjoyed Robin Williams, for me it was Leonard who was the film’s emotional center.
I agree 100%
I think he was out-shined by Williams based on the shock that Williams pulled out such a well done dramatic role. I’m still all for his performance but I agree that RSL was also incredible.
He’s also very underrated for his role as Wilson on HOUSE. The dichotomy of those two characters is some of the best character chemistry ever on TV or film.
Dead Poets Society – or DPS in our abbrevo preoccupied age (APA) – is a funny one. its one of those movies i always see just bits of late at night, and quite like, but not sure ive seen it all together. im tempted to say the o captain bit is pretty lame, but am such a Peter Weir fan i’ll let it slide
im such a Peter Weir fan i forgot he directed this
Same here Ross! I have yet to sit down and watch it in its entirety but I sometimes catch bits now and then on cable. Excellent review Heather.
Oh please do. You’ll appreciate it so much more. Both of you!
This movie provided me the counterpoint to my life being shaped by Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. One being about the virtues of avoiding school, one being about the virtues of diving into it. If only DPS had come out sooner. I remember telling my buddies they should be calling me Nuwanda from then on – which seemed cool until Fried Green Tomatoes came along.
Williams was almost in the Oscar zone for this one – he just needed to dial it back a little bit more – which he finally figured out how to do in Good Will Hunting.
Great movie, which actually inspired an actual Dead Poet’s Society among my drama-friends in high school. Started the same way and everything, with a verse from Uncle Walt and then reading a bunch of poems that didn’t even rhyme.
Thanks for this.
Thanks for sharing that Steve. The inspiration this movie gave me is something that I know had to of affected others in a very profound way as well. It was a brilliant story, full of genuine characters, told in a passionate capacity.
I very much enjoyed your review Heather you really explained what the film was about in terms of Keating getting the boys to become free thinkers and believing in themselves. Carpe Diem all the way! I love the final scene as its just so heart breaking for Keating.
Thanks Caz. Everytime I watch it, it just becomes so incredibly inspiring and you can feel the passion translate through the screen, which is just awesome!