【Caesar for a day, could you be a member of the "Club"?】
"Great ambition and conquest without contribution," explains Assistant Headmaster William Hundert in THE EMPEROR'S CLUB, "is without significance!"
Once upon a time in America (during the years immediately after the triumphs of World War II), when a majority of teenagers left formal education by the end of eighth grade to find manual work, become wives or join the Armed Forces, both public and private schools continued the claim that they were "molding the character of future generations, creating our new leaders."
Such ideas had sustained Empires and Civilizations since ancient times.
And in our Country, a nation of immigrants believed that free public education was a path for their children to the American Dream.
It is an interesting lesson, in itself, for an old teacher to read some of the early criticisms of THE EMPEROR'S CLUB.
Jeffrey Overstreet (in the Phantom Tollbooth, a site, curiously enough, devoted to Christian Perspectives) takes Karten's critique another step, flaying poor Hundert for not being that "Six Shows a Day" entertainer, we former students have all wanted, at one time or another.
Unfortunately, few teachers like Mr. Robin Williams exist, and alas, the few who do, are often eventually regarded as something of a joke.
My experience with class clowns is that they are generally more subtle, even the ones who are trying to get kicked out of class.
Anyone, Kline was very good, as was the rest of the cast, it was just the role played by Hirsch that I didn't like.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this movie. It probably wouldn't appeal to a specific group of people, except maybe that select few that was educated in an expensive prep school.
But it is a well-made movie (there are some flaws, but they aren't particularly significant) with a great story and pretty good acting.
If you liked Dead Poets Society, you'll probably find this an interesting contrast.