Review of The History Boys (2006) by Yasmine F — 06 Feb 2008

The screen adaptation of The History Boys is the definition of hit-or-miss. It seems people get it entirely, or find it so unbearable they switch it off after 30 minutes. While I have not been fortunate enough to see the original stage production, it is clear these two versions are like night and day.

Though brilliantly written, the film lacks a sense of real drama and conflict; one never feels anything is especially at stake for the characters, even in the instance of Hector's reprimand for inappropriate contact with male students.

That said, the whole homoerotic element should not be confused with what this story is actually about. The History Boys conducts itself in a language of subtlety as it examines the arbitrary nature of academics and education itself; that is, should one appreciate knowledge for the sake of knowledge, or simply learn how to talk or write one's way through exams, university, and ultimately life itself.

In addition, these seemingly foppish and unrealistic characters are lent a great deal of humanity, as History Boys juxtaposes the volatile young adulthood of these eight boys with the aging headmaster and three teachers that are led to re-evaluate their own livelihoods and worth.

The eight leads all give fine performances and demonstrate camaraderie that only the near year they spent on tour together could have fostered. Also, Frances de la Tour is most engaging as the frank and jaded Ms.

Lintot. The History Boys displays elements of similar superior films like Dead Poets Society and Notes on a Scandal, but it just sags dramatically and isn't for impatient types who will merely fixate on "the whole gay thing.

".