Dead Poets Society has been known to many for its powerful storytelling and Robin Williams' exceptional acting. It's a dramatic film of sorts that will definitely tear your heart out and squeeze it like it's nothing.
Aside from the plot and great acting performances from the cast, Dead Poets Society also has some of the most incredible moral stories ever—a tale about freedom and acceptance.
Plot Overview
The story begins with a young junior high school student named Todd Anderson starting his academic journey at an all-male school in Vermont. He is roommates with Neil Perry, a happy-go-lucky guy with many friends.
On the first day of school, Todd and other students were surprised by the unusual and unorthodox teaching methods of their new English Teacher, John Keating. He encourages his students to make their lives extraordinary and challenges them to make their own decisions.
Keating's unusual teaching methods include the students ripping out a page from their textbooks and telling a mathematical formula to rate poetry. He mentions that there should not be a guide on appreciating a literary piece, but it's up to them whether they enjoy it. He also takes the students into the school garden and does some walking drills to encourage their individualism. His methods attract the attention of the headmaster, Gale Nolan.
The students soon discover that Keating was once a part of a poetry club named Dead Poets Society. Neil decides to reestablish the group and invites his classmates to join. They meet up in a hidden cave where they read and write poetry however they like. Keating encourages them to live on their terms and not be restricted by anything. However, as the students develop their dreams, they face challenges that limit them and threaten Keating's position as their English teacher.
Review
Dead Poets Society brought in the incredible talents of Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, and many more.
This film tackles many essential life topics, like being free, following your passion, breaking limits, etc. It also handles some mental health-related issues that give an eye-opener, like restrictive parenting, depression, etc.
Despite its critics ' favorable reviews, I find it hard to believe that this film lost the Best Picture award to Driving Miss Daisy. This film is ten times better because it tackles some essential aspects. It might not have been society's favorite before, but it is very relevant. The story transcends to any generation and will always be remembered because of the lessons we learn from it.
There may be a few who don't like the film because of its one-sided narrative, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless.
If you want to watch Dead Poets Society, you need to bring a lot of tissues.
A good 4.5 out of 5 stars.