Dead Poets Society is film made in 1989, directed by Peter Weir, starring Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. The film follows the story of a progressive English teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams) encouraging his students to go against the status quo and to live life unapologetically.
The film tackles serious issues within our society, for example: expectation plays a big part in one of our main characters life. Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard) aspires to be an actor and has a natural talent for it, but the pressure and expectation of his father who wishes for him to go into the medical field restricts him from achieving his true purpose in life.
Personally for me, this one of my favorite films of all times, but it isn't one I particularly like to re watch. I feel like the experience of watching the film the first time was so raw and left you feeling so inspired, conflicted and emotional that I don't believe I could watch it again because it wouldn't have the same impact as it did the first time I watched it. The dialogue in the film is amazing and some of the lines in the film are extremely inspiring, additionally Robin Williams was incredible in this role.
*Spoilers*
At the end of the film Neil Perry performs in his school play, which leaves his father furious, and he decides to stop Neil from pursuing any form of acting. These series of events lead up to Neil committing suicide. The ending of the film is particularly gut wrenching as we sympathize with both Neil and his father.
All his father wants is whats best for Neil, and in his eyes that is for him to be in the 'best' field of work, in the 'best' job. We see a father that cares for his son, but his ideas for his future leaves his son with no freedom, no way to express himself the way he wants too without fear of being criticized or condemned for it. It is ultimately his fathers actions that lead to Neil's suicide and his father has to now deal with this burden for the rest of his life.
Neil's suicide affects all the characters within the film, the scene where his best friend, Todd (Ethan Hawke) find out about Neil's death is heartbreaking, as we can see the emotion and disbelief
that he and the rest of his friends feel. The cinematography of this scene is particularly stunning, as after finding out about his death, the next scene is shot in extremely snowy weather, visually symbolizing this numbness and cold the other characters are feeling in the wake of this discovery. The teacher, Mr Keating is blamed for Neil's death, and is fired for his 'actions'. One scene follows Mr Keating sitting at Neil's desk, reading Neil's book from the lessons. We see Mr Keating break down and we are left feeling devastated and torpid over
this man who has to take the blame of the death of his student, who he encouraged and advised to pursue his dreams of acting and breaking out of the frameworks society and his father have held against him. Additionally, I think this film held particular significance after Robin William's death, which was a result of suicide.
Dead Poets Society changed my life because it altered my way of thinking, the dialogue of the film is exceptional and the idea of 'making your lives extraordinary' really stuck with me. Although the film is incredibly somber and dark, there's so much light and freedom presented and the idea of just 'being' instead of trying to please others or living up to any expectations against you is so prominent and relevant.
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