Bravo!

Rating: Null/10 (17 November 1998)

Seeing this movie when it first came out, I must admit I didn't appreciate its complete value. Then again, I was only 7. I recently bought this film and never tire of watching it. This is possibly the best movie I have ever laid eyes on, and one that will never be forgotten, so long as I can help it. As an aspiring film critic and hopefully one day an English teacher as well, I feel that this film embodies the essence of what a teacher should and could be. First and foremost, the teacher needs to be a mentor. He or she must inspire and lead the scholars in their (often times reluctant) search of truths. The teacher's style must be different and unique. I have seen too many great minds wasted in the public school system after teaching years and years of the same exact curriculum. Finally, the teacher must be a friend and connect with his or her pupils on a level that will truly open their eyes and help them connect better with their world. Not just with the literature, or the poetry, or the theatre, but also with their own thoughts and their own beliefs. Robin Williams does a magnificent job giving us this message, and I am still struggling over whether or not to show this movie in my future classes. His supporting cast is magnificent and I applaud each young man whole-heartedly. This is a wonderfully wrought story and (almost ironically) gives myself and apparently many others a new insight into why they must live every day to its fullest extent.