I would argue that there’s nothing more important to a child’s development than an inspirational teacher. A teacher that is not only passionate about their subject, but uses that passion to help inform other aspects of life and provide students with a new way to look at and understand the world. I was lucky enough to have two such teachers during my time at school, and thanks to them I have gone on to discover my passions.
It also can’t be understated just how important the arts are when educating young people in particular. Studying the arts is about understanding the way in which humanity interacts with and is inspired by the world around us. That’s not to say it’s any more important than non-artistic subjects, but increasingly so in modern society there seems to be a push back from education bodies and governments against the arts, perhaps they’re too afraid of a free-thinking public?
Welton Academy is one of the most prestigious boys prep-schools in the United States and former student John Keating (Robin Williams) has just been appointed as the schools new English teacher.
Inspired by Keating’s unorthodox teaching methods, a group of his students are inspired to sneak out of the school after hours and read poetry together under the name of the Dead Poets Society. But when other staff members become concerned about Keating’s methods, and the boys’ behaviour becomes disruptive to the status quo, Keating’s job hangs in the balance.
It also can’t be understated just how important the arts are when educating young people in particular. Studying the arts is about understanding the way in which humanity interacts with and is inspired by the world around us. That’s not to say it’s any more important than non-artistic subjects, but increasingly so in modern society there seems to be a push back from education bodies and governments against the arts, perhaps they’re too afraid of a free-thinking public?
Welton Academy is one of the most prestigious boys prep-schools in the United States and former student John Keating (Robin Williams) has just been appointed as the schools new English teacher.
Inspired by Keating’s unorthodox teaching methods, a group of his students are inspired to sneak out of the school after hours and read poetry together under the name of the Dead Poets Society. But when other staff members become concerned about Keating’s methods, and the boys’ behaviour becomes disruptive to the status quo, Keating’s job hangs in the balance.
Dead Poets Society is a film I had been meaning to watch for many years but had never gotten around to it, and now that I have finally seen it, I think it may have become one of my favourite films of all time. I found the film to be profoundly moving and it spoke to me on a level that few films have ever managed to. It felt personal, and I felt the way it juggled its various story-threads was excellent.
Whilst Keating is the focal point of the film, the main characters are actually two teenage boys, roommates Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard) and Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke). Todd is new at Welton and yet to find his own voice or identity, whereas Neil wants to pursue more artistic ventures though is unable to because of his controlling father (John Cunningham).
Along with Neil and Todd, the Dead Poets Society consists of Knox (Josh Charles) who finds himself pining over a girl at a neighbouring school who has a boyfriend; Charlie (Gale Hansen), who has little respect for Welton or its traditions; Cameron (Dylan Kussman), whose sense of duty to the school often outweighs his loyalty to his friends; Meeks (Allelon Ruggiero), and Pitts (James Saterston).
Keating actually plays a comparatively small role in the film, just being a force of good that encourages the boys to explore their own forms of self-expression and to dare to think differently from the crowd. I felt that it was appropriate that the boys got to have centre stage with this story, as the inspirational teacher/coach story is well worn, and would have been even in 1989, but by placing the boys in the limelight it allows for a much more intimate look at how they each take on Keating’s wisdom in different ways, rather than just having two hours of Keating looking smug and self-satisfied.
Of course, Williams delivers a stellar performance in a role that’s considerably more dramatic than most of his previous work at that point. There are glimpses of the comedy madman in there, but the jokes feel reigned in compared to a lot of his work. But the fantastic performances from the young men that make up the Dead Poets Society are the ones that steal the show. Leonard’s performance as Neil is captivating and heart-breaking, whilst this can be said for many of the boys I would say that there were times where I forgot I was watching an actor because I believed in the performance so much. Hansen was another actor who I felt really nailed that believability.
Surprisingly I found that Hawke was one of the weaker actors in the film, I would say that Hawke has been one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood for the past decade or so, but here he is frequently outshined by his co-stars. That being said, in the films final act he does step up significantly, so I wonder whether the script wasn’t allowing him to express his fullest performance.
I really loved Dead Poets Society. I wish I had seen it when I was around 15 as it would have no doubt left a huge impact on me as I was going through a similar experience at the time in discovering my love for the arts and understanding the world in new ways. But watching it now as an adult it not only gives me fond memories of those times, but it has reignited those passions within me. I feel that Dead Poets Society is a must watch for any artist, regardless of what discipline you practice, whilst poetry and creative writing may be what the film centres around you can apply the same logic to any kind of artistic practice.
A truly moving and inspiring film, Dead Poets Society is something that I will absolutely treasure from this moment forward.
Whilst Keating is the focal point of the film, the main characters are actually two teenage boys, roommates Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard) and Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke). Todd is new at Welton and yet to find his own voice or identity, whereas Neil wants to pursue more artistic ventures though is unable to because of his controlling father (John Cunningham).
Along with Neil and Todd, the Dead Poets Society consists of Knox (Josh Charles) who finds himself pining over a girl at a neighbouring school who has a boyfriend; Charlie (Gale Hansen), who has little respect for Welton or its traditions; Cameron (Dylan Kussman), whose sense of duty to the school often outweighs his loyalty to his friends; Meeks (Allelon Ruggiero), and Pitts (James Saterston).
Keating actually plays a comparatively small role in the film, just being a force of good that encourages the boys to explore their own forms of self-expression and to dare to think differently from the crowd. I felt that it was appropriate that the boys got to have centre stage with this story, as the inspirational teacher/coach story is well worn, and would have been even in 1989, but by placing the boys in the limelight it allows for a much more intimate look at how they each take on Keating’s wisdom in different ways, rather than just having two hours of Keating looking smug and self-satisfied.
Of course, Williams delivers a stellar performance in a role that’s considerably more dramatic than most of his previous work at that point. There are glimpses of the comedy madman in there, but the jokes feel reigned in compared to a lot of his work. But the fantastic performances from the young men that make up the Dead Poets Society are the ones that steal the show. Leonard’s performance as Neil is captivating and heart-breaking, whilst this can be said for many of the boys I would say that there were times where I forgot I was watching an actor because I believed in the performance so much. Hansen was another actor who I felt really nailed that believability.
Surprisingly I found that Hawke was one of the weaker actors in the film, I would say that Hawke has been one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood for the past decade or so, but here he is frequently outshined by his co-stars. That being said, in the films final act he does step up significantly, so I wonder whether the script wasn’t allowing him to express his fullest performance.
I really loved Dead Poets Society. I wish I had seen it when I was around 15 as it would have no doubt left a huge impact on me as I was going through a similar experience at the time in discovering my love for the arts and understanding the world in new ways. But watching it now as an adult it not only gives me fond memories of those times, but it has reignited those passions within me. I feel that Dead Poets Society is a must watch for any artist, regardless of what discipline you practice, whilst poetry and creative writing may be what the film centres around you can apply the same logic to any kind of artistic practice.
A truly moving and inspiring film, Dead Poets Society is something that I will absolutely treasure from this moment forward.