Dead Poets Society (1989)

Dead Poets Society (1989) Movie Reviews

Cast: Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Kurtwood Smith, Josh Charles

Director: Peter Weir

Rating: PG

Running Time: 128 min.

Synopsis: Robin Williams toned down his usually manic comic approach in this successful period drama. In 1959, the Welton Academy is a staid but well-respected prep school where education is a pragmatic and rather dull affair. Several of the students, however, have their thoughts on the learning process (and life itself) changed when a new teacher comes to the school. John Keating (Williams) is an unconventional educator who tears chapters of his textbooks and asks his students to stand on their desks to see the world from a new angle. Keating introduces his students to poetry, and his free-thinking attitude and the liberating philosophies of the authors he introduces to his class have a profound effect on his students, especially Todd (Ethan Hawke), who would like to be a writer; Neil ( Robert Sean Leonard), who dreams of being an actor, despite the objections of his father; Knox (Josh Charles), a hopeless romantic; Steven (Allelon Ruggiero), an intellectual who learns to use his heart as well as his head; Charlie (Gale Hansen), who begins to lose his blasé attitude; unconventional Gerard (James Waterston); and practical Richard (Dylan Kussman). Keating urges his students to seize the day and live their lives boldly; but when this philosophy leads to an unexpected tragedy, headmaster Mr. Nolan (Norman Lloyd) fires Keating, and his students leap to his defense. Dead Poets Society was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Williams; it won one, for Tom Schulman's original screenplay.

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  • Dec 15, 2011 10:21 pm

    Tim said: C

    I've always been torn on this movie. Its one of those I enjoyed watching even though it is thoroughly manipulative and somewhat dishonest. It's cliched and never really bought Robin Williams in the role but somehow its still watchable.

  • Jan 27, 2012 04:52 pm

    Catherine said: B

    Director Peter Weir does a great job pulling out the intensity of the topic. An inspirational film that everyone should watch at least once.

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