Review of Monsieur Lazhar (2011) by Ted N — 11 Jan 2013
A refugee from Algeria takes a class at a school in Montreal whose popular teacher has committed suicide. Sensitive treatment of grief and bereavement, dislocation and guilt. From a play, this rather uncinematic film is nevertheless not stagey.
Very underplayed throughout, the children all act beautifully; the treatment of school life, its obsession with 'experts' and strict policy of no physical contact between teachers and pupils is spot on.
The film deftly shows how simple human interaction and sympathy, which would be much more effective, is squeezed out between the twin jaws of a vice - the cult of the qualified on one side, and fear of lawyers and hysterical pushy parents on the other.
This review of Monsieur Lazhar (2011) was written by Ted N on 11 Jan 2013.
Monsieur Lazhar has generally received very positive reviews.
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