A class of upper class students who are shown that they can make what they want of their lives through poetry classes is one that will be remembered as a pinnacle role in Robin Williams resume. Reigned in from his usual "crazy" persona Williams' John Keating is an inspirational teacher, whose love for poetry comes out through the expertly written script and Williams' controlled and touching portrayal. It really shows how accomplished and powerful Robin Williams can be, and when you link him up with a script that deservedly won the screenwriting Oscar you create something that will linger in your mind long after its final credits.
The rest of the cast manage to live up and provide worthy equals to Williams, in particular Robert Sean Leonard whose character Neal is the films pivotal example of the struggle between being who you want to be and the person you are forced into becoming. His relationship with his father is full of despair, anguish, anger and misunderstanding and it is here that Dead Poets Society tugs on the heartstrings and then even goes as far as to break them completely. It's not easy viewing, and at times the transition from light to dark is quite sudden, but it feels incredibly real and because of this everything that Neal is going through resonates right down to your stomach.
When Dead Poets Society shifts towards the other characters, there is a lot of humour and smiles to be had, and Josh Charles as Know provides plenty of laughs and fun in his attempts to woe a girl he has only met once.
When the bittersweet climax reaches its crescendo, and you find yourself against all odds cheering and applauding the final scenes, you won't know exactly how to feel. It leaves you sad and happy, sending out messages within yourself that you should make something of your life and nothing should stand in your way.
It's in this very simple message that Dead Poets Society truly succeeds. Whether you find any interest in poetry or in all of the characters you can't help but feel touched at getting to witness these people for two hours, and see exactly what you can be when you want too.
8/10
Adam
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