Movie Review - The Class

This film, Entre Les Murs in it's original French, has been on my radar for a while since I saw the trailer below which was gripping in that you weren't sure if you were watching a doc' or fiction. 

The film comes with critical acclaim that cannot be ignored. It was nominated for an Academy award as Best Foreign Language Film of the Year last year, it won the 2008 Palme D'or at Cannes and also won Best Foreign Film at last years Independent Spirit Awards. It is another movie by the the Canal + group which has been behind so many quality French productions over the years.

The story follows French teacher Francois Marin, played by actor and screenwriter of the movie Francios Bégaudeau, during a year in a Parisian high school located in a tough and racially mixed part of the city. His class is comprised of 14 and 15 year olds from varying backgrounds representing the diversity that is typical of modern day Paris where traditional French culture merges with influences from West and North African countries. It is a fascinating film that genuinely makes you question if you are really watching a fictional portrayal of a French classroom. So natural are the performances not just from the adult actors but more interestingly from the teenage actors all of who put in performances that are accomplished beyond their years.

With a few exceptions pretty much the whole movie takes place in Mr Marin's classroom where each day he battles to get through to his students through French poetry, literature and grammar. Each subject taught in his class is challenged by students displaying street-smart intelligence, independence and desire to test authority born out of their life experience in the tougher neighborhoods of Paris. We watch Marin struggle through the year cherishing mini victories when he sees breakthroughs in learning and students clearly enjoying aspects of the class. However his frustration grows with one particular student whose family troubles spill out into the classroom and he faces off with Marin finally pushing the behavioral boundaries expected by the school in a scene played out with exceptional understanding.

The Class is a film experience that is rewarding in so many ways. Satisfying and real writing creates a sense of recognition within the viewer allowing the lives of teacher and students to transcend their French borders and become universally accessible. On paper this movie looked interesting but director Laurent Cantet along with Bégaudeau's script has created something extraordinary. Your attention will not waiver for a minute during the two hours of this film and if you haven't seen it yet I promise you will thank me afterwards.

Rating: *****

Movie Review - The Class