[Dead Poets Society a classic movie, virtually mandatory viewing for high school students] 1989 Synopsis: Academy Award(R) winner Robin Williams (Best Supporting Actor, Good Will Hunting, 1997) stars as a teacher who inspires his students to live their lives to the fullest and Carpe Diem. But when tragedy strikes, his lessons are put to the test. Starring: Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. (Henry David Thoreau, Walden.) Hands up folks, how many of us discovered Thoreau after having watched this movie? *Really* discovered I mean, regardless whether you had known hed existed before. How many believe they know what Thoreau was talking about in that passage about sucking the marrow out of life cited in the movie, even if you didnt spend the next 2+ years of your life living in a self-constructed cabin on a pond in the woods? How many bought a copy of Whitmans poems ... whatever collection? (And maybe even read more than Oh Captain! My Captain!?) How many went on to read Emerson? Frost? Or John Keats, on whose personality Robin Williamss John Keating is probably losely based? Judging by the vast majority of the reviews on this site alone, you just cant fail to notice that this movie has a powerful appeal like few others; inspirational is probably the most frequently used word in the opinions represented here. And justifiedly so, despite the fact that charismatic Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard), one of the movies main characters, tragically falters in the pursuit of his dreams, in the wake of apparent triumph. Because although Neils story is one of failure, ultimately this movie is a celebration of the triumph of free will, independent thinking and the growth of personality; embodied in its closing scene. Of course, lofty goals such as these are not easily achieved. Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke) in particular, the last scenes triumphant hero, is literally pushed to the edge of reason before he learns to overcome his inhibitions. And Thoreau said in Walden: If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; That is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. Anyone who takes this movies message to heart (and Thoreaus, and Whitmans, and Emersons, Frosts and Keatss) knows that success too easily won is often no success at all, and most of our truly important accomplishments are based on focus, tenacity and hard work as much as on anything else. And prudence, too ... dashing Charlie Dalton (Gale Hansen) pays a high price for his spur-of-the-moment challenges of authority; although of course you just gotta love him for refusing to sign Keatings indictment. Carpe diem - live life to its fullest, but always know what you are doing, too. You wont enjoy this movie if you are afraid of letting your mind and your feelings run free. Shot on the magnificent location of Delawares St. Andrews Academy, Dead Poets Society is visually stunning, particularly in its depiction of the amazingly beautiful scenery (where the progression of the seasons mirrors the progression of the movies story line), and it is as emotionally engaging as it invites you to mentally reexamine your position in life. Robin Williams delivers another Academy Award-worthy performance (he was nominated but unfortunately didnt win). Of course, Robin Williams will to a certain extent always be Robin Williams ... Aladdins Genie, Good Morning Vietnams Adrian Cronauer and Good Will Huntings Professor McGuire (the 1997 role which would finally earn him his long overdue Oscar) all shimmer through in his portrayal of John Keating; and if youve ever seen him give an interview you know that the man can go from hilarious and irreverent to deeply reflective in a split second even when its not a movie camera thats rolling. Yet, the black sheep among Welton Academys teachers assumes as distinct and memorable a personality as any other one of Williamss film characters. Of its many Academy Award nominations (in addition to Robin Williamss nomination for best leading actor, the movie was also nominated in the best picture, best director [Peter Weir] and best original screenplay categories), Dead Poets Society ultimately only won the Oscar for Tom Schulmans script. But more importantly, it has long since won its viewers lasting appreciation, and for a reason. - As the Poet said: Camerado! This is no book; Who touches this, touches a man (Walt Whitman, So Long!), this is no movie; who watches this, watches himself! amazon/Dead-Poets-Society/dp/B0073XYN6E/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1382492525&sr=1-1&keywords=dead+poets+society
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 19:40:44 +0000
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