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The Emperor's Club
2002
At St. Benedict's prep school, the boys are disciplined, mannered, and ready to learn. But when a bad apple enters the classroom of the well-respected Mr. Hundert (Kevin Kline), chaos ensues. Sedgewick Bell (Emile Hirsch, DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS) is a kid with a chip on his shoulder and a powerful senator for a father. He .. Read more
| Starring | Kevin Kline, Emile Hirsch, Embeth Davidtz, Rob Morrow |
|---|---|
| Director | Michael Hoffman |
| Genres | Drama |
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Critics' reviews
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This sentimenal film about a committed, but flawed, teacher, says nothing new about the ghetto of troubled pain that so many inhabitants feel at school, but at least the acting makes it worthwhile. Posh prep school Classics professor William Hundert (Kevin Kline) is so obsessed with teaching that he cuts himself off from Elizabeth (Embeth Davidtz), his one true love. Now his hopes are centred on an unruly student, Sedgewick Bell (Emile Hirsch) who slowly conforms to the ideals of scholarship, but then turns upon Hundert and his own personal prowess. It is a grievance that is not really resolved, even 30 years later. Directed by Michael Hoffman, the idea buckles under the weight of classroom clichés, but its drama is well sustained by the cast.
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
the emperor is good but he's no dead poet...
This movie starts off very strongly, with fine performances from Kline the teacher, and Hirsch the rebel student. However, much of this good work is undone when the story moves on several years, to a fairly unconvincing and muddled climax. The issues the film raises about cheating, are never really resolved in a satisfying way. Overall, it's not bad, but it never reaches the quality of Dead Poets Society.
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Brilliant school drama
Excellent "Dead Poets Society" type flick.
If you love school teacher drama's then this is just up your street. An excellent performance by Kevin Kline. -
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Bittersweet.
A bittersweet story of a teacher, his success and his disillusionments. On the same wavelength of some other films, but well made and well acted. I enjoyed it.
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Most recent members' reviews (2)
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Bittersweet.
A bittersweet story of a teacher, his success and his disillusionments. On the same wavelength of some other films, but well made and well acted. I enjoyed it.
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Good family film
Lots of old family values all of the family enjoyed it a very good film
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
the emperor is good but he's no dead poet...
This movie starts off very strongly, with fine performances from Kline the teacher, and Hirsch the rebel student. However, much of this good work is undone when the story moves on several years, to a fairly unconvincing and muddled climax. The issues the film raises about cheating, are never really resolved in a satisfying way. Overall, it's not bad, but it never reaches the quality of Dead Poets Society.
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Brilliant school drama
Excellent "Dead Poets Society" type flick.
If you love school teacher drama's then this is just up your street. An excellent performance by Kevin Kline. -
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Bittersweet.
A bittersweet story of a teacher, his success and his disillusionments. On the same wavelength of some other films, but well made and well acted. I enjoyed it.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
really boring
poor attempt at dead poets society
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Very Enjoyable!
Very predictable & full of cliches but at the same time very enjoyable. A great heartwarming drama, well worth a look!
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
did Lean a bit towards the boring side
I rented this from my local county library cos I was getting impatient of only getting 2 DVD's a week good bit of drama but I recomend you only watch this if your in a very serious mood otherwise it will just bore the pants of you Great one for prudes though
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Good family film
Lots of old family values all of the family enjoyed it a very good film
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
great story
i was told about this film from another friend. although the plot is simple, the story of a teacher and his students is one that everyone can relate to. the acting is superb and the film draws you in to find out what happens next.
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Not as good as
This movie is in the genre of 'Dead Poet's Society' but nowhere near as good. Uninspiring and flat, I lost interest very quickly. Avoid.
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Kevin Kline Club
A film that so desperately wants to be like Goodbye Mr Chips or Dead Poets Society. Unfortunately it doesn't quite make it, although it does have some touching moments. Part of the problem I had is the idea of a modern private school in America, where the spoiled American boys are very hard to sympathise with. They form a lasting attachment to their classics teacher, Kevin Kline, and in later years meet up again as part of a reunion. Thats pretty much the plot in a nutshell, there are really very few surprises or twists and by the end the film has little emotional impact.
Critics' reviews
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This sentimenal film about a committed, but flawed, teacher, says nothing new about the ghetto of troubled pain that so many inhabitants feel at school, but at least the acting makes it worthwhile. Posh prep school Classics professor William Hundert (Kevin Kline) is so obsessed with teaching that he cuts himself off from Elizabeth (Embeth Davidtz), his one true love. Now his hopes are centred on an unruly student, Sedgewick Bell (Emile Hirsch) who slowly conforms to the ideals of scholarship, but then turns upon Hundert and his own personal prowess. It is a grievance that is not really resolved, even 30 years later. Directed by Michael Hoffman, the idea buckles under the weight of classroom clichés, but its drama is well sustained by the cast.
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
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The Emperor's Club
At St. Benedict's prep school, the boys are disciplined, mannered, and ready to learn. But when a bad apple enters the classroom of the well-respected Mr. Hundert (Kevin Kline), chaos ensues. Sedgewick Bell (Emile Hirsch, DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS) is a kid with a chip on his shoulder and a ...
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