Tuesday, 9 December 2014

Dead Poets Society
(1989)

60%



Weak analysis of a fundamental problem of Western educational systems; namely, the substituting of knowledge for wisdom - creating intelligent, educated morons. The questions raised are never fully explored or really resolved in a satisfying manner; leaving us with a self-indulgent wallow in problems that can be solved but never are. And if there is no solution what is the point of raising the problem?

Despite the paucity of characterization in the screenplay, the acting is fine and offers a certain pleasure, especially Robert Sean LEONARD as the pupil tortured by his parents' desire for a future for him in medicine and his equally passionate desire for a life on the stage.

Worse, the theme of carpe diem is seen more as a concept based on fear of death rather more than love of life: As if the evasion of pain were somehow equivalent to the pursuit of pleasure. Such an attitude leads to an empty life of not finding out what is worth pursuing then simply pursuing goals on a whimsical basis. To Sir with Love is easily superior to this warmed-over collation of teen-angst clichés as Peter Weir's customary subtlety rather eludes him here.


Article copyright © 2010 Frank TALKER. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute it in any format; provided that mention of the author’s Weblog (http://franktalker5.blogspot.com) is included: E-mail notification requested. All other rights reserved.

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Science:



No science is immune to the infection of politics and the corruption of power.



Jacob Bronowski… (1908 - 74), British scientist, author. Encounter (London, July 1971).


Sleep of Reason:



The dream of reason produces monsters. Imagination deserted by reason creates impossible, useless thoughts. United with reason, imagination is the mother of all art and the source of all its beauty.



Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes… (1746-1828), Spanish painter. Caption to Caprichos, number 43, a series of eighty etchings completed in 1798, satirical and grotesque in form.


Humans & Aliens:



I am human and let nothing human be alien to me.



Terence… (circa 190-159 BC), Roman dramatist. Chremes, in The Self-Tormentor [Heauton Timorumenos], act 1, scene 1.


Führerprinzip:



One leader, one people, signifies one master and millions of slaves… There is no organ of conciliation or mediation interposed between the leader and the people, nothing in fact but the apparatus - in other words, the party - which is the emanation of the leader and the tool of his will to oppress. In this way the first and sole principle of this degraded form of mysticism is born, the Führerprinzip, which restores idolatry and a debased deity to the world of nihilism.