Leaves of Class

Rating: 8/10 (29 July 2013)

In 1959 Delaware (as Vermont), charismatic poetry teacher Robin Williams (as John Keating) arrives to begin work at the "Welton Academy" preparatory school for boys. An alumni of the school, Mr. Williams teaches poetry with uncommon zeal. To gain attention, he demands students tear out the pages of books written by essayists with whom he does not agree. To get participation, he invites students to stand on the teacher's desk. Williams does impersonations of Marlon Brando and John Wayne. His motto is "Seize the Day," a directive made popular by novelist Saul Bellow. Yes, this class is fun...
Williams teaches the "dangers of conforming," and encourages students to think for themselves. When they learn Williams belonged to a clandestine club called the "Dead Poets Society" when he was a "Welton" student, the class decides to revive the group. They meet in a cave to read poetry by the masters - but, mainly, they just goof around. Playing the saxophone and sharing "Playboy"-type centerfolds accompany Walt Whitman. Because Williams'' influence extends perilously beyond the classroom, his "unorthodox teaching methods" get the popular teacher in trouble with school administrators...
This above average production won good notices and award consideration for director Peter Weir and star Robin Williams. Originally, the teacher held back a secret; "Oscar"-winning writer Tom Schulman was persuaded to drop the idea, so we and the character are left with a gap. Williams' "Keating" is put on the sidelines in favor of the students. Nothing against the actors, who perform exceptionally, but they do look more like handsome young college-aged models than typical high-school aged boys. There is some physical diversity in the extended supporting cast, though. A few of the boys wear glasses...
The main stars are sensitive writer Ethan Hawke (as Todd Anderson) and his roommate, aspiring actor Robert Sean Leonard (as Neil Perry). The next tier includes prankster Gale Hansen (as Charlie Dalton) and lovelorn Josh Charles (as Knox Overstreet). Although these players are almost interchangeable, the actors create distinguishable characters. Best of the remaining parts goes to Dylan Kussman (as Richard Cameron), who perversely turns out to be the group's real non-conformist. The film is too self-consciously calculating and manipulative to be fully masterful, but it sure looks nice.
******** Dead Poets Society (6/2/89) Peter Weir ~ Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, Gale Hansen