Review of Monsieur Lazhar (2011) by Ryan S — 26 Apr 2012

Fable: a short tale to teach a moral lesson, often with animals or inanimate objects as characters.

There are three poignant scenes in this Canadian, Quebec set film which will totally jolt your emotional fortitude. The first one being the traumatizing opening scene which Monsieur Lazhar is structured/layered upon. The second is when Simon (temperamental yet sympathetically portrayed by Emilien Nà (C)ron) breaks down in his elementary classroom in front of Mr Lazhar and his peers. The third one is the near final scene, where the dowdy, antiquated Mr. Bachir Lazhar divulges to his students the tragic loss of his family; told as fable as part of his banished goodbye. Disregard the fact Monsieur Lazhar is in French. Read the subtitles as words infusing passion, pain and tragedy to the scenes of 11 and 12 year old kids attempting to come to grips with the deplorable loss in their lives. Look past the anti-Hollywood (anti-Canadian Hollywood even) presence of actor Mohamed Fellag, as you will be engulfed by his captivating, touching, vulnerable execution as an Algerian immigrant trying to pass off as a qualified school teacher. Sensational acting by all of the kids - especially the precious Sophie Nà (C)lisse (who looks like Chloë Grace Moretz from Hugo,Kick Ass, and Let Me In) who plays Alice; simple, yet haunting non-synthesized piano score; and sensitive subject matter surrounding pre-teen kids and suicide; Monsiur Lazhar will move you like no other homemade Canadian movie has. Rightfully nominated for Best Foreign Picture at the 2012 Academy Awards, the only minor qualm I had surrounded the emotional connection I was establishing with the movie through the poignant bonding between Bachir Lazhar and the kids. I personally yearned for more moments depicting the development of his relationship with his students. The movie leaves some character connecting in the shadows of the unseen which is left for us to interpret. Monsiuer Lazhar also leaves out extra character "filler" scenes that, if had been included, would compound the movie's emotional impact, making it that more heartbreaking. However, this is a minor quip. Hearing about the deleterious state of adolescence in the news these days -not only in schools but in general societal life - reinforces the impact of how one individual's tragic choices can have damaging, devastating consequences on our youth.