Review of Dead Poets Society (1989) by Danyne Z — 29 Dec 2011

I can hardly count how many times I've seen this movie. Honestly, truly, maybe...30- 40 times? At least. And I cry every time. I'll catch the last ten minutes of the movie, and tears well up. I just am always SO inspired, moved.

It's not the suicide, though that is painfully tragic and frankly infuriates me that Neil doesn't have more courage to just take a flippin' stand, for cripes' sake, what a pathetic waste of a wonderful life - what was he thinking?! - but the lessons taught by Keating, the beauty of poetry and words, and the tragedy of the way the world works, it's cynicism.

That Neil's father doesn't seem to grasp his part in the tragedy but makes the school look for a scapegoat. Someone slap some truth on those people...but you know..that is life, and that is probably why I cry.

Ideals are wonderful, but life can kill that, and there is courage needed to take a stand - even on the desk to honor the Cap'n who preached the truth, and we all really need a lot more of that kind of courage.

I love this movie, it's just such a slice of several lives - those boys are wonderful, especially Charlie, my favorite, who REALLY gets it! ("To indeed be a god!" with intense gusto as he kicks the ball) - and I do hate Cameron, even before he turned into the fink I knew he was.

Absolutely one of my all time favorite movies ever!