carpe diem indeed

Rating: 10/10 (2 April 2003)

it's a pure, absolute picker-upper of a movie. It should be handed out by therapists to their depressed and undriven patients. The script is rich, and as poetic as the existing poetry in the film. While Peter Weir's direction is restrained, it all makes the settings more natural and believable. And he draws out some remarkable performances.
It's a pristine story of a new english teacher who gradually opens his students eyes on how to live. By their own rules, instincts and impulses. And when the brilliant lectures come out of robin williams, it's like he's talking straight to the viewer. Asking us to ask ourselves if we are doing enough to make our lives truly extraordinary. And it all works so damn well. Coming off best are williams, ethan hawke, and robert sean leanard, who's fate is enough to move the most stone of heart. The best film of that year. Almost became second best in the picker upper stakes, when american beauty was released in 1999, the only other film, to me anyways, that i think can inspire and move in equal measure.