Review of The Class (2008) by Robbie M — 27 Apr 2009

Francois Marin, will you please be my boyfriend forever? I know nothing of the man's private life--one of this film's ingenious decisions. The character disavows a rumor that he is gay, and yet he could be; he might just be warding off a divisive fact in his classroom. It doesn't matter. Because the world of this movie is fully contained in his French class, and in how what happens there plays out in this particular school system. Francois's private life is immaterial.

Francois Begaudeau, as a version of himself, is amazing. He's flawed as an educator, he engages his students in both brilliant and painfully misguided directions, and he's totally hot. It's almost shocking that this film sticks with him and his compelling assortment of students. Indeed, I almost can't believe this is even a movie. I don't think it could have been conjured up by an American filmmaker.

In this country we produce 'Dangerous Minds' and the like: cliche-ridden, feel-good efforts that inevitably feel insincere, even as they demand to tug on heart strings. This French wonder is about School. And Kids. And a Teacher who gives a shit, and whose life outside matters zero in terms of the impact, if any, he may achieve. Wow.

Everything is believable and all that--that's nothing surprising once you accept where this is going. But while the amateur kid actors are revelatory, you might just notice the camerawork, and how agile this cinematographer is in capturing a sense of authenticity, while also noting the importance on mundane schoolroom goings-on, which achieve a kind of banal eloquence. (Contradiction noted.).

Oddly, while I praise this movie for sticking to school and not venturing outside it, the most moving scene for me was when one of the teachers announces her pregnancy. A rare glimpse outside, yes, but her champagne toast is fully focused on one of her students. I'll drink to that.