THE EMPEROR'S CLUB

REVIEWED BY BRAD ENGLISH

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Because of: pornography, foul language

Rated:

I’ll go ahead and get this out of the way now: this is not Dead Poets Society 2. When I first saw the previews for this drama, I thought that was what it was going to be. After all, they both take place at an elite all-boys school, they both follow a class of teenage boys, and they both feature an inspiring teacher. But the similarities really end there. It’s a great movie to start a discussion on truth, morals, and the lasting effects teachers have on our lives.

Based on Ethan Canin’s short story, The Palace Thief, the movie primarily focuses on the teaching career of William Hundert, a Classics professor at St. Benedicts School for Boys, played by Kevin Kline. The movie initially is set in the present day, but we are almost immediately drawn into a flashback to St. Benedicts circa 1972. The final third of the movie is set back in the present. Mr. Hundert arrives at a posh resort for a school reunion, the purpose of which is revealed later in the movie. While going through his old things, he reminisces of this particular class from the early 70’s. In the flashback, we get to see the good professor in action. Hundert is not only passionate about the Classics, but he is also passionate about his students. He sees his role as one in which he molds the leaders of the future.

Instead of the “carpe diem” theme mantra, Hundert teaches his young men to realize that the choices they make now will affect their future. His students know what is expected of them, both inside and outside the classroom. Like he says, “great ambition and conquest without contribution is without significance.” Naturally, with this perfect, well-behaved and upright class, one kid needs to be different.  Enter the “problem student”, Sedgewick Bell (Emile Hirsch), son of a prominent state senator. Although a very intelligent boy, Sedgewick fills the role as the class clown and rebel.  Immediately, he starts to have an effect on the students around him and they are drawn to his rebellious acts causing a confrontation with Mr. Hundert. After an uneasy truce, Mr. Hundert takes on more of a mentor role seeing young Sedgewick seriously tackle his academics and Mr. Hundert is more open to breaking the rules to help him.

It almost seems formulaic: respected teacher with a well-behaved class, new kid comes in and causes trouble, teacher confronts new kid, and teacher turns into new kid’s mentor. But then things change.  These people are human after all. This movie didn’t end the way I expected it to. Because of this, I think it has a much more realistic tone to the story; our choices early in life can greatly affect what happens in our future. Sometimes cheaters win. To make a difference in the world you need to contribute, not just conquer.

As for objectionable materials, the movie is rated PG-13 officially for “some sexual content.” Sedgewick introduces porn magazines to the boys in his class. He and some other boys start to go skinny-dipping with girls from the neighboring girls’ school but get stopped before anything happens. Also, it is implied that Mr. Hundert is having an affair with a married female teacher at the school. There are a few mild expletives and harsh abuse of deity peppered throughout as well. And then there is the fact that the name of the school, St. Benedicts, implies it is a Catholic institution but there is no mention of Jesus’ name other than as a profanity.

All in all, I think this is a well-done movie that can spur some great conversations about morality.