Rating: 
Summary: A fine movie for our finest professionals... the teacher
Review: The greatest and most influential of all professions is that of a teacher, but more often than not, they are the most underappreciated and underpaid people in our society. "The Emperor's Club" is a movie for us all, but more specifically, for the teacher and mentor. Kevin Kline plays Mr. Hundert, a history teacher at a private institution, a supremely dedicated and honorable man whose desire it is to mold young minds into men of great character like Plato, Hypocrites, and the Caesars. Again, the opening day at St. Benedict's delivers Mr. Hundert a raw group of boys from differing backgrounds and cultures, all needing special attention from the master teacher. Off to a fine teaching start, Hundert receives a new student, the infamous Sedgewick Bell, son of a popular U.S. Senator, who becomes the professor's special reclamation project. Against the request of the Senator 'not to mold Sedgewick's character,' Hundert becomes obsessed to the point of compromising his own values, and excluding some of his other students. What will become of Sedgewick? Will he win the coveted Mr. Julius Caesar Award, marking him as the most distinguished student of his school in ancient Roman history? More importantly, will Mr. Hundert make an impact on the young man's life? "The Emperor's Club" is a good movie containing some interesting twists and turns, starting slowly, yet finishing strong. Kline gives a stunning performance in the lead role. Edward Herman (a.k.a. Richard Gilmore in Gilmore Girls and Richie Rich's father) is in character as he plays the role of the headmaster. BF
Rating: 
Summary: Such the wrong message
Review: O.k. maybe I went into this movie with high expectations, but when I finished watching it I had but one thought. That was one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Oh the acting is fine as you would expect from Kevin Kline and the rest, but the story is horrible. You can some it simply up in the idea that you can't really change the bad kid, but if you try that's all that matters even if you end up trading on your own morals to do so. I admit thought I probably would have liked it much better if he had done something to address the Segwick charater's cheating in the end. Instead he just let it go, that drove me crazy. Worth a rent, not worth a purchase
Rating:
Summary: truly awful.
Review: A sappy, pseudo-inspirational effort. A film that could only appeal to shallow minds. So uninteresting. Is this someone's maudlin dream-world about the way things should be? Not the least bit plausible; truly pathetic. I'm really embarassed that I viewed it, and even more embarassed for the studios that produced it.
Rating: 
Summary: The Emperor's Club
Review: William Hundert (Kevin Kline) is a dedicated, rule-abiding teacher at a very exclusive boarding school for boys. He clases with the rebellious son of a U.S. Senator, freshman student Sedgewick Bell (Emile Hirsch). Sedgewick neglects his studies, misbehaves and gets other students (Joel Gretsch and Rob Morrow) to take part in his antics. After talking with Sedgewick's father, Mr. Hundert realizes Sedgewick needs attention, something he did not receive from his father. Mr. Hundert is determined to inspire Sedgewick to succeed. Mr. Hundert thinks Sedgewick has turned himself around and is applying himself. Sedgewick proves him wrong when he is caught cheating. After 17 years as Assistant Headmaster Mr. Hundert is denied the promotion to Headmaster. He resigns. He feels he has failed in his career. He is invited to attend a 25 year reunion of his former students. It is there that he learns the disappointing truth about Sedgewick. But realizes, that he didn't fail as a teacher.
Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful but Obscure Morality Tale
Review: William Hundert (Kevin Kline) has been a professor of Ancient Civilizations for 34 years. One year, while teaching at St. Benedict's Academy for Young Men, he had a rebellious and obstinate student named Sedgewick Bell (Emile Hirsch). Believing that the lessons of history have great value and that the character of ancient leaders can be an inspiration to the youth of today, Prof. Hundert commits himself to nurturing and encouraging the young Mr. Bell in hopes that his attention will inspire interest and motivation in his student. It seems to work. Sedgewick devours the Classics. His grades improve so much that he is a contender for a spot in the school's prestigious "Mr. Julius Caesar" Roman history competition. But Sedgewick Bell disappoints his mentor -not by losing the competition, but by his conduct, which leaves Prof. Hundert saddened and frustrated that the lessons of ancient leaders had not made an impression on the boy at all, even as he studied them so thoroughly. 25 years later, Sedgewick Bell (Joel Gretsch) is a corporate leader with his eye on a political career when he organizes a class reunion and rematch of the "Mr. Julius Caesar" competition. For a second time, Sedgewick Bell leaves Prof. Hundert questioning his success as an educator and learning to live with his failures. "The Emperor's Club" is an untidy little morality tale. Kevin Kline's performance is excellent, as usual. But I'm not sure what I am supposed to think of this film. And I'm not sure if that is a good thing and a credit to the filmmakers, or a bad thing that they could not get some point across. By the film's end, I do not know if I am supposed to think that Prof. Hundert is a hero or a coward, a genius or a fool. I have to conclude that the fact that I am wondering these things means that the film is thought-provoking and thematically interesting. I'm just not sure if it's that way on purpose. I think teachers will enjoy this film because it portrays teachers as they would like to see themselves. But it also invites a more critical viewing of Prof. Hundert, the ideal teacher, which educators in the audience might do well to consider. The film's themes are not cut-and-dried, and the plot never entirely resolves itself. But "The Emperor's Club" is a thoughtful and interesting film, so I recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: better than i expected
Review: one of the greatest movies of all time includes a great performance by kevin kline as Willliam Hundert a history teacher who's student Sedgewick Bell Teaches him a very big lesson.
Rating:
Summary: Great Surprise! Easily One Of Best Movies For 2002!
Review: My first reaction is to say this is THE best movie of 2002, but I don't see very many current movies (most of them aren't worth seeing anyway) and usually know nothing about the best picture candidates. Luckily, I went to see this excellent film! First, let me say that I am not really a Kevin Kline fan. About the best movie he ever made before was DAVE, while funny wasn't too much to get excited about. This movie, however, with its great story and fine cast (mostly of unknowns) is one I will always remember. The reviewer of the Atlanta paper said this was not as good but similar to DEAD POET'S SOCIETY- W-R-O-N-G! While there are obvious comparisons like the fact the events take place at a boys' boarding school, this movie is quite different, and MUCH better than the Robin Williams' "vehicle." All I can say is watch this movie with an open mind, and you should walk away with many thoughts about history, life, and other meaningful things. (note- I tracked down the story "The Palace Thief" that the movie is based on, and to my surprise the movie is better than the book! Go figure!)
Rating:
Summary: Kline's Best Work
Review: The Emperor's Club is a story of students in a boys school in the late 60s-early 70s. Kevin Kline is a teacher of the Classics (Greeks and Romans) and is the assistant headmaster of the school. He is a man who's life is his work which he takes seriously to a fault. Kline, as a teacher, I think sees that each student is an individual and treats them as such. His greatest test is dealing with a student, the son of a US senator, who arrives with an arrogance that is extremely off-putting. In thoday's view, I would rate this new student as extremely toxic in his influence. Kline's character tries to reach the student and for a short period of time, succeeds. The turning point, is a lecture to the student by his senator father to shape up, and the competition for the Mr. Julius Cesear contest run by Kline. The student shapes up, scores improve and, after soul searching by Kline, reaches the final threee for the competition. In the competition, the toxic element takes hold and Kline discovers that the student is cheating. Rather than expose the student, Kline eliminates him by asking a question that only the other contestant remaining in the competition will know. When Kline confronts the student about it, and asks "Why" the student's reply of "why not?" is telling about his personality. From then on the student is the focus of every moment of indiscipline in the school and remains so until he graduates. 25 years later a rematch is arranged and history repeats itself. Again Kline does not publicly confront the student, now a senatorial candidate, with his acts, in public. Rather he gives a quick lecture in the men's room to the student, apparently just between them. There is one listener though, who makes a surprise appearence. The other students, now successful men in their own right, meet with their former teacher and honor him for his many successes. This movie may be trite to some. However in this climate of economic retrenchment and state budget deficits remedied by eviserating school budgets (California), this film is a refreshing look at education as it could be. It is a movie with no surprises, but there are many none the less. I had the opportunity to see this film on flights to and from Japan so I watched it three times on each flight. It is the best picture I have seen in the past 12 months. Kline is exceptional in his performance. Edward Herrmann is also excellent as the headmaster of the school. His scenes, while brief for the most part, are critical to the success of the film. Careful cast selection of the boys and their adult counter-parts was also critical to the success of the film's theme. It is an ensemble casting that works well. The school is also an impressive part of the film. You arrive at the school in the late 60s and by the turn of the century, you have seen changes that are not dramatic by themselves but are none-the-less important. The school has moved from being a boys school to a co-ed school. You see a school adapting to the times. You could say that this is a representation of an elitest school that has no bearing on reality today. However, schools such as these are still turning out the bulk of our leaders, now and tomorrow, so I do not see it as an irrelevant topic. It is a reality that is still with us. Not quite a "To Serve Them All My Days" story, but a close second to it. This is an exceptional film that I think is a must see for everyone. It is a tremendous vehicle for Kevin Kline and I was disappointed that he was not recognized for a stellar performance. I highly recommend it to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Best Movie of 2002
Review: This was a great movie. More people should have seen it. I was extremely disappointed that Kevin Kline did not receive an Academy Award nomination for his work here. Most people wouldn't think this is Best Picture material, but this is the best movie of 2002. We need more movies like this.
Rating:
Summary: Elitist Nonsense!
Review: This movie to put it mildly is what is commonly referred to in the film industry as dodo. Seriously I found this film had no applications to these hectic postmodern times other than show how rich folks have their children educated to grow up and become a part of the blue blooded cast! I walked out on the part when the Caesar contest was held when they were all adults. I just couldn't take it anymore!
| 
