Good, but not all I hoped I really did like this movie. I was able to finagle my way into a sneak preview for an audience of teachers.
When I first saw the trailer, I had two thoughts. One was that any movie with Kevin Kline is a good thing. (Life as a House was amazing.) My second thought was that the concept seemed reminiscent of Dead Poet's Society, which also is a good thing.
The movie itself was slightly less than I hoped for. Mr. Kline still gave a solid performance, yet it lacked the quality or maybe punch of his Life as a House role. Don't get me wrong, he is still wonderful and one of the best actors out there. It's just that a couple times, I thought I caught him indicating... an acting term where the actor does what is the too-obvious action or reaction. EX. If you are tired, you yawn and rub your eyes. For instance, one time his character was thinking and reacting to something given to him and he wrinkled his brow and moved his eyes around in an obvious and exaggerated thinking posture. Picky, I know. I am just mentioning it.
As for the Dead Poet's Society thought, maybe I was just unfair to think it in the first place. Can anything really compare? A private boys school and the wonderful teacher who effects their lives. The boys in this movie were a few years younger and maybe that is why their character development didn't touch those of our beloved Dead Poets. Our main boy was under the pressure of his father in a similar way and the way he deals with the stress is similar, but different and maybe somewhat more clichéd. Still, our step to the future with the boys in the Emperor's Club was interesting. The best part of which was the exchange with Martin Blythe. Of course, it was wonderful to see Sedgwick get nailed (and I won't so more out of respect for those who have not seen the movie).
In regards to the theme- I am still thinking about it and I am not sure if that is a good thing or not. You don't want to hit the audience over the head with your point, but do you want it so obscure that they are still trying to figure it out 24 hours later? Yes, yes, I get the general point- it was said in the beginning of the movie when Kline first started his class and had Martin read about the general on the plaque above the door. It was demonstrated at the first Julius Caesar contest. Why take us to the second one in the future and show us the same thing? In the end, who was right? Sedgwick or Hundert? Whose morals carried them farther? Or is that for each audience member to decide?
In summary, when I left the movie, I knew I had seen a good film, but I was unsatisfied. Whether it be because I had set my expectations too high or because the movie really did lack something, that is for other viewers to decide.