Am I The Only One Who Hates This Movie?

Rating: 5/10 (16 April 2000)

Often when I get into a discussion of favorite movies with people I meet, they are astounded by the fact that I hate this movie. That I loathe and despise this movie. "How can you hate it?" they ask. "It's so inspirational!" The only thing it inspired in me was a need to vomit.
I have enjoyed much of Robin Williams' work. I have greatly enjoyed Peter Weir's work - "The Truman Show" and "Witness" are among my favorite films. But "Dead Poets Society" just bothers me. I appreciate the theme, I appreciate the idea of a teacher who inspires his students. I just can't stand being hit over the head with it every few seconds. I can't stand the plastic characters.
But what really gets to me is this - there's a strange sense of defeatism about this movie. As much as it would purport to advocate individuality, it seems to advocate the belief that individuality can only lead to ruin. Take a long look at the fate of some of the major characters and think about how much the filmmakers really believe in the positive power of unconventional thinking.
In the end, the whole thing just seems forced to me, I guess. It's like the writer decided upon Point A and Point B for his characters, and simply figured out a way to railroad them all from A to B, instead of letting anything develop naturally.