Grade: B+
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Director: Michael Hoffman
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Released: November 2002
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Writer: Neil Tolkin, Ethan Canin
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MPAA Rating: PG-13
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Players: Kevin Kline, Emile Hirsch, Rob Morrow
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Running time: 108 minutes
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The Emperor's Club is a movie about how to be an honorable man. Not like other films that take the easy way by dividing good and evil into black and white, showing you what is good and honorable in a simplistic fashion. This picture takes on the issue and deals with it realistically. At one point, Kline's character makes a less than honorable choice and lives with the consequences of that choice for the duration of the film. There is no happy ending in terms of the outcome, rather, he's an honorable man who does his best to deal with the decision he made. That's the brilliance of the character, honorable but flawed.
Films like this are all about the quality of the story and characters, and this story is great. More than once, I was surprised by the turn of events. It begins with the standard inspirational-teacher-loved-by-students formula, but it adds the unexpected and becomes more than just another cliched film. It's very smart, the story makes for a great film. The characters are well-drawn and memorable, Kline very good in yet another solid role.
I wish Hollywood would make more movies like this. Movies that make a statement, movies that show real people facing real decisions and consequences, movies that can teach today's youth the kinds of lessons they aren't learning in their own schools and homes. It's unfortunate that the people who could most benefit from a film like this are the least likely to watch and appreciate it.
- crocoPuffs
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The Emperor's Club