Dead Poets Society Review (SPOILERS)

Robin Williams represents the bulk of my childhood. My first film where I was acquainted with him was the comedy Flubber, and while now I've realized the film itself is flawed, no one can deny that he would be the only saving grace it has. When I heard news of his passing, I had hoped it was another hoax article that has plagued many other celebrities, but it was unfortunately true. What was even more shocking was that his death was suicide, a topic that had come up in a few of his works, recently in World's Greatest Dad and in the film I will be discussing, 1989's Dead Poets Society.

The film is about English and poetry professor John Keating, played by Williams, who inspires his students with his unorthodox methods in individuality, since his students are in a 1950's era boarding school for only boys, a school which seems to not mind teaching conformity.

Not only was this enjoyable from a Robin Williams performance, but from young actors who would be famous later on. The two in question are Robert Sean Leonard and Ethan Hawke, who looks younger than I've seen in any of his films, but its not to disccredit the other fine actors.

While all seven of the boys that are focused on are interesting, only four of them really stood out to me, while others contributed witty banter once in awhile.

Knox Overstreet, played by Josh Charles, is the romantic of the group, falling in love with a girl outside of the boys only school. He finds the courage through Keatings' techings to write his own poem to her and win her over from her jock boyfriend.

Charlie 'Nuwanda' Dalton, played by Gale Hansen, is the so called beatnik of the group who enjoys playing a saxaphone rather than the clarinet his parents made him play. Out of all the other characters, he's the most aggresive and impulsive, writing an unauthorized article on how girls should be allowed in school and outright assaulting the character Richard Cameron for selling out the Dead Poets Society (DPS). In the end, he's unfortunatly expelled.

Neil Perry, played by Robert Sean Leonard, is the charismatic leader of the new DPS, and also the most fragile, as he can never tell his father what he really wants to do in life. He defies the rules given to him and acts in a play, something he has the passion for. When his father tries to control his destiny again, he sees no way out and sadly kills himself, not only hurting his friends, but bringing down the last straw for the school to blame Keating.

Todd Anderson, played by Ethan Hawke, is the shyest of the group but also talented in poetry. He shares a room with Neil and bonds with him the most since the latter helps him break out of his shell to join the DPS. This unfortunately means he's also the most devestated when Neil dies, but even after he is bullied by the school to blame Keating, he defies them one last time to give Keating a proper goodbye. along with the other DPS members and others from his class who were inspired.

And then there's John Keating, Robin Williams' character, who wasn't the main focus of the movie but was still a great presence with his teachings. Alot of what he speaks about resonates with me when I think about my writing. I don't think myself the greatest, but its what I want to do and I do it, knowing that I do have people who will encourage me, which is what the boys lacked from the school, encouragement. The school was only worried about their traditions and grooming the boys for college without ever acknowledging if it was something they wanted, as was the sad case of Neil, who wanted to act, but was repeatedly told by his father that he was going to be a doctor.

In conclusion, Dead Poets Society is a must watch in the filmography of Robin Williams and also an overall excellent piece of cinema, with a message that can resonate with anyone who has a dream or wants to have their own identity. The talents of Williams will greatly be missed as well.