„Dead Poets Society” – Go against the Grain [Review]

Title: “Dead Poets Society”

Release Date: 1989

Director: Peter Weir

Cast: Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles

“Dead Poets Society” is a well-known work by Peter Weir, which resulted in one of the most outstanding roles in Robin Williams’ career. The actor played the role of a charismatic teacher with unconventional working methods, who quickly gained the trust and admiration of his students. However, there is more to this coming-of-age story about finding your own path in life. Like its main character, Peter Weir’s film questions the rigid education system based on outdated rules, accusing it of repeating hackneyed clichés at the expense of genuine curiosity about the world.

“Dead Poets Society” – a classic by Peter Weir

Peter Weir became a legend of Australian cinema after directing the wonderful “Picnic at Hanging Rock” (1975). The outstanding movie opened the door to a great Hollywood career for the Sydney-born filmmaker and gave him the opportunity to make real stars. In the 1980s, Weir discovered Mel Gibson, who gave outstanding performances in two of his historical and political dramas: “Gallipoli” and “The Year of Living Dangerously”. Weir also gave Harrison Ford the chance to shine in “Witness” (1985) and “The Mosquito Coast” (1986). For Robin Williams, working with the Australian director was equally fruitful, as he created one of the most iconic characters in his entire body of work in “Dead Poets Society”. And, of course, he received a well-deserved Academy Award nomination.

“Dead Poets Society” tells the story of John Keating, an English teacher who takes up a position at an elite boys’ school. It soon becomes apparent that the teacher does not stick to the usual teaching patterns and instead of boring rote learning of textbook rules, he encourages students to use their creativity. Keating’s revolutionary methods fall on fertile ground and many boys begin to seriously rethink their previous approach to life and themselves. Inspired by their teacher, the boys decide to set up a secret Dead Poets Society, whose motto becomes the ancient maxim “carpe diem”. However, not everyone is a fan of Keating’s methods, and when one of the more sensitive students commits suicide, the teacher is met with the wrath of the high school administration.

“Dead Poets Society” – on the side of youthful rebellion

The movie “Dead Poets Society” has not aged at all and still causes a stir, even though its rating among movie experts is still controversial. Philip Kemp, for example, calls Peter Weir’s work a “pretentious drama” and describes it as a “highly overrated” piece. The Robin Williams drama is criticized above all for its glorification of rebellion against traditional norms and patterns, which is somehow inscribed in the fabric of the picture. The criticism aimed here at the ossified education system is perceived as questioning the most important institutions of social life, not only the school, but also the family and intellectual culture.

For me, the greatness of the “Dead Poets Society” lies in its courageous support of individual sensitivity and intuition. Scenes in which students tear out pages from a textbook with the definition of poetry or when they realize how difficult it is to find their individual rhythm in a row of people marching in step are real cinematic highlights. It is impossible to speak with your own voice without critically examining how deeply entangled we are in our thinking in social, genealogical and school patterns. It is impossible to live life only in your head without sensually experiencing the world. It is impossible to protest against injustice without becoming convinced that sometimes it is worth going against the tide.

The final scene of the “Dead Poets Society”, in which the students bid farewell to their teacher with a courageous rendition of Walt Whitman’s “O Captain! My Captain!”, represents Keating’s ultimate victory. Kicked out of his job, accused of corrupting the youth, humiliated in front of his students and colleagues, he finally achieves true, not just moral, success. His actions had a much stronger impact on young personalities than the faded wisdom from outdated books. It is difficult to imagine a more explicit declaration of belief in the role of teachers who, if they treat their profession as a mission, have the opportunity to shape entire generations of independent-thinking, creative, and above all, happy people.