Important to watch.

Rating: 10/10 (4 December 2006)

It's easy to recognize the cinematic brilliance of "Dead Poets Society". The script is dripping with insightful dialog and dramatic nuance, and director Peter Weir drew out distinctly emotional performances from his entire cast, particularly Robin Williams, who has never given a finer performance. That's all easy to observe. What's less apparent but definitely there is the importance of this film with respect to our daily lives. This picture does not exist solely for the purpose to entertain (which it does manage to do fantastically), but also to stress the influence of both conformity and individuality on one's life.
The story tracks the events of a group of students of a New England boarding school. The boys are inspired by the powerful example of their English teacher and free spirit, John Keating (Williams), to initiate a secret club that sneaks off to read poetry in the woods after hours. Be not fooled by this seemingly hokey premise. As the boys become engulfed by their new-found sense of nonconformity, so will you become engulfed by the story and its characters.
But only once film is finished will you appreciate how precious your individuality is, and just how much some have to sacrifice to attain theirs.
Whether you're a conscious individual, someone struggling to find their own voice, or just have a real passion for great poetry, it is doubtless that the message of "Dead Poets Society" is one that can speak to you.
Carpe Diem!