80sfilms

In 1989, literally a week before I graduated high school, a film came out that made literary geeks like me rejoice. That film was Dead Poets Society.

In the film, young actor (and current mega-star writer/actor) Ethan Hawke played Todd Anderson, a boy under pressure because he lived in the shadow of his older brother’s reputation at a prestigious all-boy’s prep school, the Welton Academy.

The elite academy stressed four pillars/morals: Tradition, Honor, Discipline, and Excellence.

Soon, Todd meets student Neil Perry, a boy who us harangued by his father and under pressure to meet his parent’s expectations.

The pair and their classmates meet their new English teacher, Mr. Keating (played by Robin Williams), who encourages free thinking and passion in academics.

Among the radical approaches he takes toward teaching, Mr. Keating tells the boys, “Carpe Diem”, which means “seize the day”. He also has his students rip the introduction out of a book, which both shocks and delights the boys.

When the boys discover Mr. Keating not only attended their school, but also was involved in something called the Dead Poets Society, they dig for information.

The boys decide to continue in the Dead Poets Society tradition of meeting at night to read poetry and discuss life.

Over time, each boy begins to assert his independence in a different way. For Neil, it’s trying out for a role in the play A Midsummer Nights Dream. But when he gets a part, he must face his father’s disapproval.

The boys begin to take things too far with their meetings by turning them into a reason to drink, smoke and act stupid. Eventually, they realize that every action has a consequence, and in the end, they learn that conformity is not all it’s cracked up to be.

Dead Poets Society was directed by Peter Weir, who also directed The Mosquito Coast (1986) and Witness (1985). The film was written by Tom Schulman, and co-starred Robert Sean Leonard (as Neil) and Josh Charles.

Probably one of the biggest reasons I loved this film was because it reminded me so much of one of my all-time favorite books, A Separate Peace by John Knowles.

Although the film does have some swearing, smoking, drinking and light promiscuity, as well as self-inflicted violence, I still deem it teen friendly (it’s tame compared to teen films these days!) and a good watch for the entire family.

Dead Poets Society is a well-acted, wonderfully written and directed 80s films that families can watch, enjoy and discuss together. 

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