Tries to Do Too Much. Never Accomplished Its Goal.

Rating: Null/10 (6 July 2002)

Unorthodox English professor Robin Williams (Oscar-nominated) teaches a group of boys which includes the likes of Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard the joys of life and the importance of living one's life the way one chooses in this highly over-rated film from director Peter Weir (Oscar-nominated). Williams is pretty good when he is on screen, but his air time is very minimal here. He appears and disappears at the Oscar-winning screenplay's convenience. The routine of reading poetry in a cave wears thin and the performances of many of the actors is far from being convincing. "Dead Poets Society" is a good film, but the way it has been honored is a classic example of overkill. From the dire cinematic year that was 1989. 4 stars out of 5.