Guy or girl flick?

Rating: Null/10 (7 November 2004)

One of the users made the point that it was more of a chick flick,also saying the he had a woman friend who thought it was a guy flick. I don't know that it's either. I think it's power is universal.It transcends gender stereotypes even though the movie itself is probably loaded with them. The way I saw it, this movie is still potent today for one simple reason: We are, a career oriented society. Engineers, Doctors, Lawyers is what many people out there want to become. What is worse, they assume that once they obtain their "goals" they've got it made. THey don't have to do develop their intellect any further. This I know very well is not the portrait of everyone, it may not even be the portrait of the majority of people, but it's something that I have witnessed throughout my entire life. The arts are not important. What's important is making money.
Dead poets, was a gentle reminder to all of us that this way of thinking is detrimental to our entire existence. We may exist and lead a good life by becoming bankers and lawyers and what not...but if these professions (and making money) are the only things we live for, then, to paraphrase Mr Keating, we're not really living.
More than just a great movie, Dead Poets is an anthem to all those people out there who chose to think outside this box society sets up for us. I don't know if I'll ever be able to truly live and be true to the maxim that drives the movie (there's always be a nagging feeling inside of me saying "have you truly done everything your heart wanted")but I do know that this movie will serve as a perpetual reminder of the possibilities life offers, and of the important role the arts play in the life of one individual.
Carpe diem. Let us all make our lives, extraordinary.