Review of The Class (2008) by Jennifer N — 11 Apr 2009

All of my teacher friends should definitely check this one out. It stands with Half Nelson and To Be and to Have as one of the more honest films about public education. Don't look for any Hillary Swank hokum here.

The film is based on the autobiography of a French middle school teacher. He plays a version of himself, and his students play versions of themselves too, giving the film a legitimate documentary feel.

We watch Francois wrestle with his cynicism and idealism, his ideas about pedagogy, and his own failings as he tries to reach a group of kids who, mostly, don't want to be reached. The film isn't interested in narrative drama (though there is a gut-wrenching climactic moment), but in documenting the day-to-day interactions of teachers, students, and parents.