Rating: 
Summary: A good movie without the schmaltz
Review: I'll be the first to admit I really enjoyed The Dead Poets Society. But comparing that movie to this is like chalk and cheese. They are two very different takes on the 'noble' profession of teaching (if teaching is so noble to those who don't do it...why do teachers get paid terribly?). Anyway, in this Kevin Kline plays a history professor at an exclusive boys school. He does not educate through humor and rebellion and challenge conformity. He is establishment, through and through...so his educates thorugh fostering the love of learning and joy of knowing, so his methods are more traditional than Keating in Dead Poets. As Establishment he is faced with every teacher's nightmare: the student who isn't deceived by the illusion of authority; the student who doesn't want to learn or to respect the him and isn't cowed by the authority he represents. Of course Kevin Kline's character has found his nemisis, in a sense, and this make Kline's character work all the more harder not to fail this child (having a nemisis brings out the best and worst in you both). And this is at the heart of the movie: the moral ambiguity that seeks to justify itself through the ends, by ignoring the means. Its about the moment of dilemma and choice and consequence, where everything balances on a moment and the decision made within. And this Kevin Kline's character seeks to resolve over the course of the movie, with his strong faith in the nobility of humanity and his sense of failuire when it is not achieved by him or his students. There is a strong theme of 'making the man' while educating him that permeates this movie, but it isn't as overt as Dead Poets. It is more subtle and genteel. This movie doesn't seek to challenge establishment but rather show the virtues of the establishment that are noble and worth pursuing, rather than dismissing out of hand. Kline's character isn't a moralizer, rather a guide. He leaves the choice to his boys. It's the whole: 'here is the path to ruin and here is the path of the higher purpose', take that which suits you best and enjoy the consequences. But before you choose....let me educate you of the perils and the prizes...' But he never stops believing in them...and hoping they can't discover their better natures. Beautfully filmed and acted, I really enjoyed this movie. If you sit there comparing this with Dead Poets than you probably wont. Take it on it's merits and let it envelop you and you'll find it a fine movie, that isn't so much fireworks and noise, as gentle, genteel and subtle. Give it a chance.
Rating: 
Summary: OLD SCHOOL VALUES...
Review: This is a gem of a film with a beautifully nuanced performance by Kevin Kline. When I saw this film in the video store, its descriptive blurb brought to mind films such as "Goodbye, Mr. Chips", "The Dead Poet's Society", and even "Mr. Holland's Opus". So, I thought it would be a pleasant, sentimental film. Well, it turns out that this film delivers much more than sentimentality, as its themes are far more complex. It is simply a wonderful film with stellar performances by the entire cast. Kevin Kline is superlative in the role of Mr. William Hundert, the assistant headmaster at St. Benedict's Academy, where he is also the history teacher, focusing on the ancient Greeks and Romans. St. Benedict's Academy is a tony, old world boarding school, steeped in tradition and proud of its high academic standards. Through the teaching of the classics, Mr. Hundert strives to instill in his motivated students old fashioned values, such as leadership, honor, integrity, and ethics. He himself tries to live his life by those values. This cloistered, comfortable world of his, however, is torn asunder, with the entry of a new student, Sedgewick Bell (Emile Hirsch), the charismatic, troubled son of a U.S. Senator. Unmotivated and mischievous, he enters Mr. Hundert's life and ends up tearing it apart. Mr. Hundert sees that Sedgewick is innately intelligent, though an under-achiever. He also realizes that Sedgewick has some issues with his influential father that account for his poor attitude. Seeing that Sedgewick has natural leadership ability, Mr. Hundert decides to try to mold him for the common good. His earnest efforts in trying to put the morally bankrupt Sedgewick on the straight and narrow, however, end up compromising Mr. Hundert's own cherished values. It also gives him a rude awakening. Therein lies the tale. While much of what occurs in the film holds little surprise, it has some intriguing twists and turns that make it a morally complex and multi-faceted film. It is a film with a message that is particularly applicable in today's win-at-all-costs world, where situational ethics seems to be a by product of the prevailing dog-eat-dog standard. The film reminds the viewer that strength of character does not necessarily exempt one from falling prey to the new ethics promulgated by today's society. Nor are strength of character, goodness, and selfless leadership always rewarded. Sometimes it is passed over for the shallow, showy, and self-promoting. Life is, simply put, not always fair nor does the end always justify the means. The film is beautifully directed by Michael Hoffman, who displays a deft touch, avoiding mawkishness, and opting, instead, for a more realistic treatment. Kevin Kline is masterful as the highly principled schoolmaster who finds himself ethically compromised and makes a choice that will ripple twenty five years into the future. His portrayal of Mr. Hundert is that of an idealistic human being who is flawed, a man who, when beset by moral dilemmas, does not always make the right choices. Yet, he is a man who is able to come to terms with those choices as his motivations remain true to his ideals. Emile Hirsch is excellent as the troubled Sedgewick, giving the viewer a peak at the man he is eventually to become. Rob Morrow has a small role as James Ellerby, an ambitious colleague of Mr. Hundert's who has his eye on the prize. Mr. Morrow shines in this small, but important role, as it is a role that runs counterpoint to Kevin Kline's role. While all the loose ends are not firmly tied up at the end of this film, this was a wise choice, as life is not always tidy. This is a superb film well worth having in one's personal collection. Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: Powerful and Captivating
Review: This movie reminded me of another movie I saw a long time ago where an old teacher is forced into retirement and begins to wonder if he ever made a difference in his students' lives. This movie tells the story of Mr. Hundert (played beautifully by Kevin Kline), a teacher with a sincere passion for education and he tries his best to make sure that his students "follow the path that the great men before them have walked". Then, we meet Sedgewick Bell. Every class has at least one - that one student who wanted to be the center of attention, who was considered the class clown. Sedgewick becomes Mr. Hundert's personal project. If he can reach Sedgewick, he can reach anyone. It's hard to tell whether he did reach him. I have my opinions, but you can decide for yourself. Though some parts are a bit slow, this is a great movie and I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: I have wanted to be a teacher for years now and watching movies like The Emperor's Club make me dream about teacher even more. The Emperor's Club is about a group of affluent teenagers at an elite private school with a teacher better than one can imagine. Kevin Kline is this teacher, and once again delivers with an amazing performance. Unfortunately after giving these students a year of his life, and making decisions based on favorites, he is struck with the harsh reality that some people, one student in particular, are ruthless and greedy. This reality strikes him on one more occasion as a slap in the face to him that some people never change. The Emperor's Club is not a movie just about how people cannot be trusted, but how people make mistakes, and how other people can forgive them for their mistakes. It is about learning, even teachers learning, lessons of life that everybody learns at some point. The Emperor's Club was fascinating film from pretty much every aspect. Although it reminded me of Dead Poets Society, the best film of this genre ever, I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
Rating:
Summary: How It's Being Said Is What Is Being Said
Review: Many of the reviews compare "The Emperor's Club" with "Dead Poet's Society." That is like comparing a Mozart concerto with a heavy metal piece composed of three chords. The former is understated, full of subtleties, complex, and stunningly beautiful. The latter is so transparent in its "message" that it virtually crushes your skull with the poundingly obvious. "DPS" relies on heavy-handedness (particularly the over-acting by Robin Williams), obvious plot points, cheap tricks and physical tragedy to make its points. "The Emperor's Club" relies on a superb performance by Kevin Kline; his acting is tight and quiet, and brilliantly portrays a life of integrity and dedication, as well as devotion to his students. He walks the line between the human and the ascetic with a mastery that is riveting. This is a film that examines character and integrity in the face of the compromises that the "real world" demands, and does so with a plot and an acting performance (one could say performances since the actors who play the students are outstanding)that are nothing short of wondrous.
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular!
Review: I loved every minute of this flick. You know what's gonna happen, but you hope for the best. Some compare it to Dead Poet's Society, and while they do have there similarities, I wouldn't make that acuzation. Words can't describe what a wonderful flick this is. Just see it.
Rating:
Summary: "Conquest Without Contribution is Insignificant..."
Review: If you've read any reviews at all, you know what kind of teacher Kevin Kline is here. What this film points out is how influential teachers in particular prep schools are. As he looks over his students at an alumni dinner, he's seeing the "Who's Who of industry, politics and higher education.." This is the kind of hothouse where our future leaders are raised. That so many of them turn out well was Mr. Hundert's consolation and our blessing. Considering how many of these boys (and now girls) are simply farmed out to boarding schools by "busy" parents, we owe those teachers more gratitude than we usually give them. If the swaggering, smirky Senator's son bears some resemblance to George W., that is surely coincidental. Both Emile Hirsch and Joel Gretz give Sedgewick Bell charisma without conscience, and you understand why Hundert keeps trying and hoping to get through to this natural leader... It's marvelous casting, and they are both excellent. This is the kind of film "they don't make any more." They do make them, but nobody buys tickets. Fortunately, the second life that films get in VHS/DVD is the salvation of movies like this. You get a chance to see it, and I urge you to take it.
Rating:
Summary: It's not a story without surprises!
Review: For many reasons, I tend to avoid movies that deal with education or teaching. Aside from a few treasures (Dead Poet's Society), most of them miss the mark of the duty and honor involved with education. They suggest that kids eagerly await with witty retorts on the end of their tongues, or that total strangers can walk off the street and become a successful teacher overnight. However, this trend has been bucked with the inspirational movie, "Emperor's Club". Kevin Kline plays an intellectual Western Civilization teacher Mr. Hundert. Immediately, comparisons will be made with the aforementioned movie "Dead Poet's Society", but comparisons are inherently unfair. They are two entire different creatures, with different stories, so leave those comparisons behind. Mr. Hundert lives in the realm of his mind, in ideas, and his ability to impart those ideas to the youth in his care is impressive. Taking a subject many of us would cringe to study, Roman history, Hundert makes it sparkle and come alive. Then we meet his nemesis in the form of 16 year old Sedgewick Bell. Bell, son of a senator, rebellious teen with reasons, challenges Hundert in class and out as he's never had before. By roping in his fellow classmates, he stages a small coup against the school and leadership of Mr. Hundert himself. Hundert, unhindered, uses his wise wit to battle this arrogant kid, to challenge him to participate in a school competition. Intrigued, Bell undertakes the challenge. That's how the movie starts, but the story begins to unfold in more complex way. What this movie ultimately becomes is a story of people who make choices in their lives, and their ability or inability to live with those choices. That's what lifts this movie up from your run-of-the-average inspirational teacher movie. The themes run deep, very deep, and make for a compelling time at the theater. I highly recommend "Emperor's Club". This is truly a movie about a teacher that teachers will truly relate to, and love.
Rating:
Summary: Character is only partially shaped by our education
Review: Kevin Kline excels as the repressed school teacher is this excellent drama about the roles teacher's play in a child's education. Regardless of what you believe you will come away from this movie with a different opinion. Kevin Kline is Mr. Hundert; a prim and proper Victorian-type teacher in an exclusive boy's school. He exemplifies integrity and duty, in his day-to-day teachings of the history of the Western world. His motto is "What will you contribute to the world, for if you don't, you will go down in history as an unknown." It is an interesting choice of personal tenets given the story that unfolds. The story is told in several stages. You see Mr. Hundert returning to some sort of reunion 25 years later. Then you jump back to the incident that spawned this reunion.
The school he works at gains the son of a Senator, a boy who is as unruly as they come. However, his mischief shows promise of a brilliant mind and Mr. Hundert is bound to shape the young man's character. So much so, that in his disappointment with this boy's behavior, he seeks out his father; the senator, to take task with the boy. Mr. Hundert came away from that discussion, less than satisfied but two things came from this. 1. The senator, when told, the teacher was trying to mold his son, retorted that it was his job to do that. 2. The boy when chastised by his father, started buckling down. Soon this senator's son is showing progress, so much so he nearly qualifies for a contest.
The school highlights a contest, a battle of wits, that first eliminates all but three competitors. They are competing in their knowledge of the History of the Western world. It all winds up to 3 competitors and a question and answer session that eliminates all but the final winner of the Julius Ceasar award. The teacher's decision in regards to this contest will haunt him for the rest of his life. The contest produces some surprises and Mr. Hundert also learns more about the world he lives in, in the process of this as well. The acting was excellent. The story line subtle and unique. I found this movie to be a gem and in a way, there really is no one moral to this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Complex moral dilemmas
Review: Kevin Kline is masterful in the role of Mr. Hundert, a teacher at an elite boys' prep school. As he dispenses knowledge about the ancient Greeks and Romans, he also strives to mold the character of his students. All is well until Sedgewick Bell, the son of a US Senator, enters Mr. Hundert's class and begins to undermine the teacher's authority with his irreverant and disrepectful attitude. Hundert makes an appointment with Sedgewick's father who is less than receptive to what the teacher has to say. Armed with new insight into the cause of the young man's poor attitude, Hundert begins a campaign to encourage the young man and give him the attention he does not receive from his distant father. In the course of his efforts to help Sedgewick, the teacher overdoes it and begins to violate some of the very ethics which he is trying to instill in his students. Sedgewick takes advantage of the situation, and soon Hundert realizes the trap he is in. This wonderful film examines ethics in our society and paints its scenes with many shades of gray instead of simplistic black and white which would not do justice to the subject matter. The film makers deserve a lot of credit for creating a depth too seldom observed in today's films. This is definitely the best movie I've seen in a long time.
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