The Class
Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: December 19, 2008
7.5
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 112 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
83
Mixed:
16
Negative:
13
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User Reviews

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6
domcalabreseOct 14, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie is not made for entertainment or for enjoyment, it is made to be a representation to the world of the difficulties of being a teacher in a French education environment. I am a student and found it mediocre as it was so accurate to a classroom situation. I appreciate this and I believe that this film explores the classroom atmosphere in a naturalistic sense without showing any extremes and still while highlighting key flaws that can occur anywhere, neither does it preach these flaws or show any resolve it just shows them. This is a brave move for any film writer and this is why it is so highly praised by the critics as they appreciate this courage and also find the film captivating in its unresolved nature.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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5
JamesGOct 1, 2009
Some interesting scenes and a lot of comic value from the terrible dubbing.

But above all this movie shows why classroom instruction is a terrible way to educate kids. It provides the illusion of education but no learning. The socialSome interesting scenes and a lot of comic value from the terrible dubbing.

But above all this movie shows why classroom instruction is a terrible way to educate kids. It provides the illusion of education but no learning. The social context takes over and the material is an obstacle to be avoided. It isn't about learning, its about students and teachers making each other miserable. Real learning comes from books, experience, videos, tutoring, or tests. If I were teaching the class in the movie, I would devote all class time to testing, quizzes, worksheet, etc. It's the only way to get the kids to shut up and learn.

The movie also illustrates the comical unwillingness of educators to face reality. There is a teacher talking about what books to assign the kids, "I was thinking of starting them on Voltaire".… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
zacksJan 7, 2009
In its own rights this is a pretty good movie. But the whole teacher trys to give underage kids a better education has been played out so many times. Its like the WW2 games of the movie industry.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
ZachCMar 14, 2009
Too little interest in too long a span of time. The display of interactions between the teacher and his students was accurate, and amusing at times, but there was nothing profound or even novel about the story, such as it was, to warrant Too little interest in too long a span of time. The display of interactions between the teacher and his students was accurate, and amusing at times, but there was nothing profound or even novel about the story, such as it was, to warrant these kind of rave reviews. Tolerable, but very forgettable.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
HaroldTAug 30, 2009
Been there, done that. Ever hear of the Blackboard Jungle, or more to the point for this movie, To Sir, With Love? Bonding over soccer, the game that both the colonizer and the colonies love, as a coda? Please. If this movie were in English Been there, done that. Ever hear of the Blackboard Jungle, or more to the point for this movie, To Sir, With Love? Bonding over soccer, the game that both the colonizer and the colonies love, as a coda? Please. If this movie were in English it would be laughed out of town, but almost anything in French has its appeal. A six for charming characters and actors and the Frenchness of it all.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
ThomasB.Mar 6, 2009
The Class is a decent enough film. However, it's biggest pro is also one of its biggest cons. It captures a school room perfectly but, in doing so, borders on the realm of uninteresting. That said, there are a few very well acted and The Class is a decent enough film. However, it's biggest pro is also one of its biggest cons. It captures a school room perfectly but, in doing so, borders on the realm of uninteresting. That said, there are a few very well acted and some very, genuinely amusing moments. It's a film where nothing happens, there's no REAL ongoing plot, there's no resolution in the film. By the end, you're obviously supposed to fill in the blank of "what happens next" but you really won't care because none of the students are particularly memorable or, again, interesting. It will polarise viewers, but it is, at least, an watchable and will definitely have fans.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
A.KAug 16, 2009
The Class would have made for a wonderful short film. It was provocative and the characters were human. But it was simply too long; it almost alienates the viewer with its fluff. If it would have spent about an hour less establishing the The Class would have made for a wonderful short film. It was provocative and the characters were human. But it was simply too long; it almost alienates the viewer with its fluff. If it would have spent about an hour less establishing the characters and setting, then jumped into the main conflict of whether or not Souleymane should be expelled it would be more than worthy of the high praise it has received.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
DawdlingPoetNov 27, 2021
This is a fairly thought provoking film about young adolescents in a multi-cultural school setting. There are different perspectives shown via people with different personalities, although most of them are quite challenging for the teacher toThis is a fairly thought provoking film about young adolescents in a multi-cultural school setting. There are different perspectives shown via people with different personalities, although most of them are quite challenging for the teacher to engage with. I thought the performances seemed quite realistic and I suppose it's a good platform for discussing the themes it covers, including pupil peer pressure/bravado, tolerance, acceptance and how teachers respond to the way pupils 'act out'. There's discussion of the balance between positive encouragement for good behaviour versus punishment for negative behaviour. It may make you see things from other peoples perspectives and so I think it's a good film but it may seem a bit dull for some perhaps - its got a reasonably slow plot pace and I'd suggest its perhaps good as a film to discuss afterwards, rather than an entirely entertaining and 'fun' film as such but it has a pretty solid feel to it, so I'd recommend it, although it won't be for everyone.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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