On June 2, 1989, one of the greatest classic movies was released. If you are a fan of older movies, or had a movie day in class, you have probably heard of Tom Schulman's, “Dead Poets Society.” Directed by Peter Weir and starring Robin Williams, this movie is one of the most powerful drama films of all time.
The movie is set in a very strict all boys preparatory school named Welton Academy. In this school, tradition and discipline are taught and expected from the boys. The story follows an English teacher, John Keating, played by Williams, who inspires his students to think for themselves, embrace poetry, and portray themselves as who they want to be rather than who they are taught to be. Without spoiling, Keating's opinion of allowing students to express themselves in an environment that doesn't allow that leads him into some trouble.
Keating's encouragement and his message to his students to live life fully and follow their passions leads them to feel deeply and revive the “Dead Poets Society,” which is a secret club where a group of students read poetry and learn to explore their dreams freely.
Williams delivers a memorable performance, having a good balance between humor and seriousness. The other cast members, such as young actors like Ethan Hawke who plays Todd Anderson and Rober Sean Leonard who plays Neil Perry, also really shine in their roles, portraying the struggles and growth of young teenage boys under this type of pressure.
The movie explores many different topics such as friendship, courage, and the impact of different kinds of education. Its emotional depth and inspiring message has made it a really loved classic over the years. The soundtrack also complements the story well. The instrumentals during important scenes such as the ending made the film very moving.
Overall, “Dead Poets Society” is a must watch film that I recommend. The film is still relevant today for its important message about how much power individuality really has, as well as how important it is to follow your dreams. I believe it would really encourage viewers to challenge norms and live their lives how they want to rather than for other people.
