By Luisa Cvintal, Year 13
Dead Poets Society is a classic film released in 1989. It is about an English professor, Mr Keating, who inspires his students through his teachings on poetry and literature. The students, as well as being inspired, decide to continue the tradition of the Dead Poets Society club that Mr Keating was a part of in his young teenage years. From there, we see how the students become passionate about poetry using their own ideas and creativity. This movie not only shows the students becoming inspired with poetry, but it also shows the difficulties and challenges many can face when wanting to pursue a passion they truly love, as well as showing the flaws and sacrifices a person can make when truly falling in love with someone. This is shown through the character Knox Overstreet, who falls head over heels for a girl named Chris and does not hesitate to stop to get her attention. Niels Perry, on the other hand, is the character who faces challenges and obstacles with his dad because he wants to pursue acting, which is a passion he truly loves, though his father is very much against it. However, this does not stop him or Knox’s Overstreet from getting what they want to get. Even if it means having to do it in secret.
In my opinion, this movie is truly a beautiful but devastating story. It portrays the message that you should never give up on a passion you love. Even if many say you cannot do it, or they do not believe in you, you should always chase your dreams because, at the end of the day, you need to remember that you are in control of your own life and dreams. It also shows never to be afraid to be yourself and to express yourself the way you want to be seen as, not how others want you to be. It also raises awareness on very serious issues which can make many feel heard or see,n and shows that one should not be afraid to speak up or get help.
The actors also all play their characters so passionately that it feels the words are coming from the heart rather than a script, or at least they make the script come to life. The way each actor delivers the lines and moves, it is the simple things that actors do in movies that make the film come together. They all truly delivered a raw and beautiful performance. I myself was in tears by the end of the film because of the themes the movie shows and the messages behind them. One of the scenes I teared up at was at the end when the students all go up onto their desks and tell the teacher, “Oh my Captain,” because Mr Keating, the professor, wanted his students to call him captain, not “Mr”. They do this because a conflict happens (you need to watch to see for yourself), and they all stand up to show him that they are on his side.
Now, why am I writing about this film? Because I think everyone should watch it, as it is a film filled with a raw and beautiful performance by the actors, and it truly touches on very important themes and messages. It has moments of comedy, romance, and truly heartbreaking moments that truly all deliver important ideas.
Resources
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/june-2/dead-poets-society-released-in-selected-theaters
