Watch it again and again...

Rating: 10/10 (28 March 2004)

Dead Poets Society has inspired me in many ways, and I imagine it has inspired others as well. There were many themes covered in this film, the one that stands out the most to me is the cry for individuality, freedom, and expression. The movie takes place in a strict college prep school in the 1950's, where discipline and academics are brainwashed into every student. From the stern headmaster to the scapegoating of John Keating (Robin Williams), this movie provided a great conflict. Keating challenged his students to make their own choices, to be creative and expressive. Above all, he wanted his students to Carpe Diem, to seize the moment, because one day we will be dead.
Each of Keating's feature students are developed well in this movie. You see how each of them struggles to find their own individuality away from their strict parents and the strict guidelines of the school.
I liked the part played by Josh Charles (Knox Overstreet). Knox is madly infatuated with a cheerleader (Alexandra Powers) from a cross-town public high school, but struggles to find the courage to tell her his feelings. The girl is already dating a jerk football player (Colin Irving), which makes matters worse. I feel alot of us have been in that situation before, and we feel we are trapped by this fate. Knox is inspired by John Keating to express his feelings through poetry and a carpe diem approach. The results are charming!
This movie inspired me because I have always loved to write and was a true believer in following your own path, not to just follow the one paved out by the majority. It doesn't mean you have to be odd or outrageous, but to just be yourself, plain and simple.
I read the comments from Theo Robertson, and I must point out that not every student in this movie comes from a wealthy background, like Theo wants us to believe. Robert Sean Leonard plays Neil Perry, the son of a working-class father (played by Curtwood Smith). His father had to work hard to give his family a nice home and to give his son an opportunity to attend a "rich-kid" prep school. The conflict comes when Neil wants to become an actor, despite his father being absolutely against it, claiming it was silly and a waste of academic talent. This conflict becomes the focus and climax of the movie.
I don't want to ruin the ending, so if you've never seen Dead Poets Society, or haven't seen it in its entirety, please do! I have seen this film at least 20 times, and I will probably watch it another 20 times before I can no longer seize the day...