Review of Monsieur Lazhar (2011) by Samuel B — 03 Jan 2014

I found this movie after seeing the Book Thief and researching other Sophie Nelisse movies. Monsieur Lazhar is her only other movie. She is a wonderful actress. This is a sad story overall. The highlighted points are the limitations placed on teachers to help students emotionally. These limitations come from parents and administrators even though children function on an emotional level. Both the teacher and the student have suffered a terrible loss and both are confined to trying to learn and move on while carrying heavy emotional burdens.

I loved seeing Montreal and seeing so many scenes in the playground with children enjoying the winter and just accepting the weather without a thought. All the children wear their snow suits and boots and play outside every recess. I remember those days and I am sorry that my children did not experience that culture.