Overrated

Rating: 6/10 (24 May 2006)

This movie has its good moments and a decent storyline. However, it feels as clichés permeate and dominate the film.
I think the movie wants to be about nonconformism. However is it possible to fight conformisms with clichés? I see a problem there. The portrayal of the characters appears unreal to me, I cannot identify with them or with most of the situations.
You get the feeling that there is some kind of message pushed, but it is in a vacuum just like in the Little Princess by Saint Exupery. (In comparison I love Winnie the Pooh.)
It may be a tour the force as far as emotions are concerned. I certainly can understand why and how so many viewers are strongly effected. However, it does not really appeal to the intellectual in me, though the movie is (supposedly) about intellectuals! For me the film is an equivalent to a one dimensional action movie, but instead of the action the emotions are the only dimension.
There is one scene that I wish to recall which (if were more dominant in kind could improve the movie substantially) is when the boys stand on their desks. But overall fighting authority and conformism could have been portrayed much fuller.
Maybe one day someone will take the idea and remake it to be an excellent film instead of a slightly above average one.