Review of Dead Poets Society (1989) by Nick C — 11 Jan 2015

Dead Poet's Society is an uplifting and emotionally powerful tale of finding and following passion even in an environment of conformity and preset paths of life. Hearing great things about this movie, I went into it with high expectations. Just from looking at it, I could tell it was to be a highly emotional and powerful story, and I wasn't wrong. The question here is; did it live up to the hype I have heard about it? And the answer, ultimately, is a yes. Let's break it down.

We are thrown into a group right off the bat, alongside a newcomer, so we the audience are to learn about this group and develop feelings and opinions on them right along with this new student, who as we learn has high shoes to fill (which is a center theme in this movie; of legacies and pre-chosen lives and what we choose to follow and what we choose to break off from). In Dead Poet's Society, I found myself constantly struggling to identify a primary protagonist. This could either be a good thing or bad thing, depending on the execution. In this case, it's a good thing. At first. We learn more about this group, all with their own little distinct personalities and sidestories. Some are expanded upon more than others, but it's diverse enough that the movie could ultimately be remade with nearly any of the group portrayed as the primary protagonist and it still making sense. In the beginning this is good, but later on throughout the movie I got a sense that it really didn't have anything to focus on, so it gave off a sort of scrambled appearance. You can have these sidestories of the guy chasing the impossible girl, and the boy struggling to overcome anxiety and become comfortable with who he is and the potential within himself, and the desired actor fighting with his father so he can live his own life, as long as all these sidestories come together. Unfortunately, they don't.

Near the end of the film, the movie takes a dramatic shift. It goes from a feel-good flic to a more dramatic piece. All the sidestories we've become invested in throughout the film just kinda die down to make room for this suicide story. Almost like its two different movies. I don't believe it's a good idea to have a wide view into so many stories, only to shift into a main focus at the end, casting a shadow on everything else. Now, the shadowing of the stories is not ok. However, I believe the shift in the film's dynamic at this point is actually smart. I think it helps portray how these characters have evolved and learned and become stronger from the beginning. It really gives us a sense of progress that the film was somewhat lacking up until this point, so it works well.

I do feel as if, at points in the movie, it tries to strong-arm you into its emotions instead of them naturally occurring. This is a movie that really wanted you to feel. Despite these pushes to feel, the emotions truly are well executed and strongly present. The movie accomplished its goal. I felt sad at the suicide. I felt empowered at the small acts of free will and passion. I felt angered, irritated at the fault unjustly falling on William's character. I really felt what these characters were feeling. I actually let out a "thank god" when Cameron got that punch in the face the audience was begging for.

Which is of course thanks to the splendid acting in this movie. Despite its primarily young cast, I didn't feel as if there was any real under-performing here. I think most people can agree Williams steals the show, with such a strongly portrayed character. My only complaint is that Robin did not get more screentime. Williams is known for his wacky, over the top persona, but he brings a very intelligent, cool, yet passionate character here. It really shows his brilliance.

Overall, Dead Poet's Society is a classic. Its storytelling may be a bit confused by itself, but the story we do see is an unforgettable, moving piece that ages well. It of course has its faults, but I feel as if going forward I will much more strongly remember its passionate themes and ideas, and it's brilliant acting rather than its hiccups. Overall, I would rate the movie an 8/10.