dchauvin

The film begins baring resemblance to Dead Poets Society, but gradually descends to a much darker (and perhaps more realistic) place. The latter half of the film gets increasingly more peculiar and fascinating, presumably as we delve into the 'If….' possibilities of Travis' anarchic anti-establishment psyche. Throughout we are treated with alternating black and white and colour scenes that distance us from the film's reality. The black and white scenes appear to serve as the fulfillment of Travis' fantasies, and as such also frame the immorality and decadence bursting from the seams of College House, the archetypal British private school, of course preaching the exact opposite principles - religion, discipline and respect. McDowell is effortlessly cool in the anti-hero role, and the acting across the board is strong. Oh yeah, it's pretty funny at times too.

12 years ago

Timec

I just re-watched it, and had forgotten how funny certain parts of this are. Anderson really goes out of his way to mock nearly everyone in the film (each representing a certain segment of society.) There's Travis' platitudes about violence and war, the headmaster who thinks he knows what the boys are going through, the general's speech that manages to completely miss the point, the militarist minister, the whole playing "dress-up" aspect of the military training sequence, the prat whips, etc.

In spite of his ridicule, he never falls into the trap of so much satire of making the characters one-dimensional - they're fleshed out, and we care about what happens.

13 years ago

Kamrado

It's so crazy I love it!

14 years ago

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