Lessons in history and life
The Emperor's Club

Stars Kevin Kline and Emile Hirsch. Rated PG.

Reviewer :: Pte John Wellfare

"This is a story without surprises," says William Hundert (Kline) in the narration of this movie, but he is quite wrong.

I expected a remake of Dead Poets' Society and ended up enjoying a clever, original story that, although it shares a genre with the aforementioned, brings with it a thought-provoking message about morals and values.

Hundert is a much-respected teacher of the history of Western civilisation at the exclusive St Benedict's School. He admires the great men in Greek and Roman history for their sense of values and is a pedantically moral person himself. When, in 1972, a new student arrives who has no interest in learning and undermines Hundert's authority at every turn, Hundert sets about finding a way to reach the boy.

Kline plays his character in his usual understated way and carries the role of this pleasantly quaint professor to perfection.

Hundert is such an interesting person, played so brilliantly, that he is fascinating to watch no matter what goes on around him.

The movie is cleverly scripted, the boys talk like schoolboys and there's a scene in which Hundert confronts a troublesome boy's Senator father that feels quite real.

This is an intelligent movie that keeps the viewer thinking long after the credits have rolled. The only criticism is that the DVD's special features were limited to a few short cast interviews; it would have been nice to see a director's commentary.