A very significant film about a well respected teacher who tries to correct the ways of a spoiled rowdy kid in an all boys prep school. The film shows how the teacher is trying to change the son of a senator, who does not spend anytime in his studies, but focuses on girls, and does a lot of schemes. And as Mr. Hundert does his best, he believes he has changed him after he sees that he is improving on his studies and getting better grades, and decides to put him on the annual Mr. Julius Caesar, and every time he answers, it looks as though he is thinking, you know, when you put your head down, or cover your face, and after that the gives the right one. But, as he fails to answer the last question and looses, Mr. Hundert finds out the truth, Sedgewick has been cheating, he has been using fake mannerisms, and had sheets of the answers he copied from the books he borrowed from Mr. Hundert, and 25 years later he wants a rematch, and he brings a reunion which he seems to be using only to promote a campaign for him running as Senator. And once again he discovers that he is cheating, using someone to tell him the answers via transmission. He tells him he fails and gives him a final lecture regarding his ways, but Sedgewick disagrees. And at the end you see him all miserable, leaving, but all his student give him a big surprise. They give him a bat, and thank him for everything he's done. He also comes to Martin Blythe, who is said to have a legacy, yeah, his father won the Mr. Julius Caesar competition long ago, tells him that it should have been him to be in the contest long ago instead of Sedgewick. Now, as he continues teaching, a new student who is late, comes in, and finds out he is the son of Martin, and, what does he do? He does what he did at the beginning. He tells him to stand at the back and read the plaque at the wall, the sayings of Shutruk Nahunte. Overall, this is a beautiful film, with a beautiful message going out to all students and teachers all around, to value studying and paying attention and class, and to have eagerness, take pride in it. I disagree very much to what some say to this film having the anti-Bush sentiments, for there are more cheaters in this world outside politics and America. You are ignoring the 'real message' of this film, just as Sedgewick is ignoring his studies, as I said earlier, this is about valuing our teachers, and studies, for you will never know, that it will help you one day as you grow, get a job, get married and have kids, you will use the virtues given to you and practice and preach what you've been taught. And to me, some of it is a bit like the episode of The Twilight Zone Changing of the Guard, about the professor who is resigned, feels his life has been wasted, then the ghosts of his students, tell him he has more contribution and he taught them values that made them great people, and war heroes, and that his teachings were not in vain, and his life has not been wasted. All hail The Emperor's Club, I, who is about to end, recommends this to the whole family, to students, and teachers!
Thank you Mr. Kline, thank you Mr. Hoffman For an inspirational story, though a bit cliché, convincing acting, and stunning performances of Emile Hirsch, Jesse Eisenberg, Paul Dano, and Rishi Mehta, I grade this an A.
Thank you Mr. Kline, thank you Mr. Hoffman For an inspirational story, though a bit cliché, convincing acting, and stunning performances of Emile Hirsch, Jesse Eisenberg, Paul Dano, and Rishi Mehta, I grade this an A.