Thumbs up to The Class. It is up for a Best Foreign Film Oscar.
An at times claustrophobic look at the life of one classroom in urban France.
Within a matter of minutes, I felt as if the movie could have been any major city in the USA where the challenge of ethnic mixes and difficult students and home life situations clash with the mission of an idealistic teacher who refuses to give up on his students.
Emotionally, it is discouraging to watch the difficulties but the occasional moments where things look up and lighten kept me watching and rooting for a good outcome.
Peter Travers of Rolling Stones gave it high praise and informed me that the lead actor was the author of the book that the film is based on and that the students in the classroom were real life students.
The LA Times reports that The Class won't win the Oscar because it was forced into the category by the powers that be to keep good PR with Cannes Film Festival where it shined.
Not having seen the other films in the category, I have no opinion on that issue.
As a film, it does require the audience to get with it. If you are in the mood for light fare, ditch The Class. But if you know a teacher, sit in on The Class and gain a new appreciation for the challenges and rewards of that profession.
3 stars out of 4.
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