Why the hype?

Rating: 5/10 (18 November 2016)

I've got to say, I usually love films like this. Some of the themes in this film had some seriously potential. But I've come away from the film pretty disappointed.
One of the failures of the film is there is no main character. We follow the lives of the prep-school boys (which are interesting) but there is no one who viewers were led to particularly invest in. It's clear that Neil is pretty important but there's not enough eye-in to his inner self for viewers to make a significant investment.
Secondly, the boys at the prep school were doe-eyed with Mr Keating. Yes, some teenagers are very impressionable, but these teenagers were so quickly and wholeheartedly captured by Mr Keating that it is too much for belief. Where was the initial scepticism that required convincing to overcome?
Additionally, throughout the film viewers are led to believe Mr Keating is doing something of value for his students – significant value. But honestly, what was it? I am sitting here reflecting on his lessons and wondering what their true value was. What did he do that was so important that made him the "teacher-hero"? I know that he was encouraging "free-thinking", but his lessons, truly, didn't clearly express that. Therefore, his "revolutionary" behaviour does not seem to me to be that revolutionary.
Also, if his teaching was so unique and impacting, why was it that essentially none of the boys actually chose to reject conformity? They all signed the paper, wrongly assigning guilt to Mr Keating. Yes, the students stood on their desks in the end as a sign of loyalty to Mr Keating, but, ultimately, what value did that act have? None. Sure, Mr Keating got some warm fuzzy feelings, but he still lost his job.
Lastly – and this relates to my first point – the suicide came as a shock. It just left me asking "Why?" The significance of Neil's inner turmoil and Mr Keating's teaching to Neil are quite unclear. So the death of Neil seemed like a nice emotive curveball to make viewers feel like Mr Keating truly was doing something meaningful. Or that parents should listen to their kids? Again, what was the message here? And, as discussed earlier, Mr Keating's purpose does not seem truly remarkable.
Yes, this film has a lot going for it, but it really needed to do a few things better. 1. Let viewers get to know Neil more. 2. Make the students more believable. 3. Make Mr Keating's purpose clear and remarkable.