Because, as Mr. H says, accomplishment is nothing without contribution.

That's ultimately what the film is about -- society and what we put into it, and how much junk we're willing to put up with in the name of virtue.

The moral is clear, and very current on a political backdrop.

Unfortunately, it is here also surrounded by some unfortunate hoopla.

A perfunctory romance for the grownup.

      A few laughs that are intended to take the boys out of their books and into our hearts. (It would take a lot to erase their "Dead Poets Society" doppelgangers from our minds.)

The rowing.

      It would be nice to see this film stripped down to its bones, taken out of hiding from behind "25 Years Later" and given resonance all at once, and all where it belongs -- with the teacher. He is, after all, the one in charge of molding people.

      What is ultimately an interesting theme loses momentum and power because it is spread too thin, among too many people, and over too much time. 

     -- Liz ( 2 1/2 out of 4 pops )

Talk about this film with other Popkorn Junkies

       Matt ( 4 out of 4 pops )

      3 reasons why you should see "The Emperor's Club":  1.  It's brilliant!  2.  It's brilliant!  3.  Did I mention it's brilliant?  Now, I don't give 4-pop reviews easily.  So far, this movie and "One Hour Photo" have been the only movies deserving of the supreme rating.  I'm sure we've all seen tons of these inspirational teacher movies, but I guarantee you it's nothing like this.  People may consider it clichéd, but the characters are so well-rounded that you can only call them clichéd on a technicality.  These aren't one-dimensional cardboard cut-outs.  Each character contains great substance and humanity, and you can sense the motivations behind their actions.  Sure, we've seen the character of the spoiled rich kid whose father is very wealthy, yet he doesn't say a word to him, and who doesn't feel the need to work up to his potential in dozens of other movies.  But guess what?  There are kids like that out there!  And Kevin Kline himself (who has proven to be one of the greatest American actors and ironically enough, made a film last year which I also consider to be a masterpiece:  "Life As A House") adds much realism to his character, and you can notice it with his every facial expression, his every movement.  I can tell he didn't just rent "Dead Poet's Society" and "To Sir, With Love" and decided to play out the bare essentials.  I don't think any other actor could've molded the character as beautifully as he did.  To sound like a professional movie critic for one second, "The Emperor's Club" is an inspirational film that actually inspires!  I left the theater with a great feeling in my heart and the film helped me better realize the TRUE value of education.  That is especially demonstrated in the film's ending, which doesn't go for the tired old melodramatic pay-off, and I guarantee you will be surprised at the outcome.  That's right, it doesn't end with students standing on chairs.  Sure, it ends on a happy note, but not in the way you'd expect it to.  Now I made a promise that I was gonna stand by my de,cision that Robin Williams MUST win the Oscar for "One Hour Photo" and I'm not necessarily withdrawing from it, but if either Williams or Kline wins the Oscar, I'll be very satisfied.  This is a beautiful, beautiful film!  One I will never forget!  I just hope Kline's next film will be just as great, so he can continue the streak.    

      Billy Ray ( 2 1/2 out of 4 pops )

      First off, let me stress that I am a huge Kevin Kline fan.  He was brilliant in "Life As A House", what I consider to be an underrated masterpiece of modern cinema.  And he does a fantastic job in this picture, another take on the teacher/student relationship, a relationship Robin Williams mastered in "Dead Poets Society".  Emile Hirsch also does great, as he did in "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys".  The performances were finely tuned and emotional enough for me to totally fall in love with.  Alas, I thought something was missing from this picture.  I couldn't and still can't put my finger on exactly what it was, but there was definitely something askew, one or two little bits and bobbles either misplaced or just plain left out.  I liked the fact that Kevin Kline was not built up to be the perfect teacher--it shows him as having flaws and making mistakes like everyone else.  That was a crafty and original approach to take.  I think, maybe, one of things that I didn't like about the picture was that I never really believed that Kevin Kline was a teacher.  I mean--he is a phenomenal actor and he gives a great performance in this flick--but his best scenes are when he is not in the quote un-quote 'teaching' environment.  Now, don't get me wrong, this is still a good movie, but I just felt some thing were missing.  When I pinpoint them, I'll let you know.