spot the similarity

Rating: Null/10 (21 October 1999)

Robin Williams plays a man who arrives as a newcomer into a staid, conservative environment and finds that his unorthodox approach leads to conflicts with his superiors. Robin Williams gets to show that he has a lively personality and yet deep down be vulnerable and sensitive.
Is that an accurate summary of Dead Poet's Society? No, it's an accurate summary of Good Morning Vietnam, Patch Adams AND Dead Poets Society. All you have to do is change the costume from soldier to doctor to teacher. Wait a minute, there's Awakenings too (doctor again)!
I generally like Peter Weir's stuff, and I have no particular animosity for Mr Williams. But I cannot fathom why people think this is a life-changing film in the slightest. What is set up is a situation where the audience has no choice but to side with Williams in his battle because the alternative (ie "the School") is so proposterous. Take for example the "rip it out" incident near the start. No English Literature book would have that kind of an introduction, so when Robin starts going on about the true meaning of poetry appreciation etc., it comes out sounding amazing; but in fact what he is saying is pretty mundane and only unorthodox when compared to the gothic horror of the School's teaching methods.
As for the ending, most unlikely and frankly it even trivialises what is a serious subject.
Seize the day - go do something else but don't bother with this!!