Too sentimental even for a movie about a boys' school

Rating: 6/10 (5 February 2005)

To Sir, With Love would look like stark British realism if placed next to this French treacle. All the clichés are in place: the troubled but decent boys; the overworked and cynical teachers; the harsh, almost sadistic, school administrator; the idealistic new staff member who wants to make a difference. You know the rest. The plot is not very carefully worked out and the whole enterprise has a slap-dash quality. Some subplots are begun and then just allowed to trail off. The acting is adequate throughout and the boys choir is nice to listen to, even as you doubt that a school of ordinary boys could possibly sound like that. This movie has gotten quite a bit of attention. It doesn't deserve any of it.