Review of The Class (2008) by Michelle W — 20 Apr 2009
A french film directed by Lauren Cantet set in a French classroom about a French teacher and an uncooperative class.
The film is very documentary like. The shots were simple no deeper effects. Despite being in a different country, another language, I still recognise the dynamics with the teacher and students, and from my experience very authentic. I thought the very many scenes inside the classroom were the most engaging, this fight for power going back and forth. The kids weren't bad and the teachers weren't infallible. Realistic and perceptive. I thought this concept about teachers trying the best they can for'bad' kids was stretched too far with the escalation of the 'skanks' and a disciplinary hearing, the film went beyond believable. With the whole documentary thing developing into a real drama, didn't work for me.
On the whole this was a great film, I don't see the 'French' in it but it was really engaging. It was taken too far with the hearing and the documentary side lacked an angle but it had good ideas.A french film directed by Lauren Cantet set in a French classroom about a French teacher and an uncooperative class.
The film is very documentary like. The shots were simple no deeper effects. Despite being in a different country, another language, I still recognise the dynamics with the teacher and students, and from my experience very authentic. I thought the very many scenes inside the classroom were the most engaging, this fight for power going back and forth. The kids weren't bad and the teachers weren't infallible. Realistic and perceptive. I thought this concept about teachers trying the best they can for'bad' kids was stretched too far with the escalation of the 'skanks' and a disciplinary hearing, the film went beyond believable. With the whole documentary thing developing into a real drama, didn't work for me.
On the whole this was a great film, I don't see the 'French' in it but it was really engaging. It was taken too far with the hearing and the documentary side lacked an angle but it had good ideas.
This review of The Class (2008) was written by Michelle W on 20 Apr 2009.
The Class has generally received very positive reviews.
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