Uplifting, inspiring, tragic and hopeful all at once

Rating: Null/10 (4 September 2002)

This is one of the most inspired films I have ever seen. I've seen it countless times now but it still moves me.
I studied English at college and I wrote a paper on this film one year and while I was watching it and looking out for quotes that I could use it struck me just how philosophical this film is.
Not wanting to bore anybody but this film has so much to say about how we choose to live our lives and how, often, those choices may not be ours to make.
This is the ultimate coming of age movie. Yes it's a bit dated for our 2002 audience but its themes are as relevant today as they have always been.
This film is all about breaking free from convention and how difficult and often lonely that can be. Ultimately it shows that free thinking often has tragic consequences and perhaps society and expectation have more of a grip on our lives than we would wish.
I think ultimately this film has a hopeful message as we see that there are people willing to push expectations that little bit and that is always a good thing especially because it enhances our lives and teaches us so much.
Peter Weir did an excellent job on this as he did on 'The Truman Show' many years later. The cast was terrific particularly Robin Williams as the inspirational John Keating and Ethan Hawke as Todd