The Emperor's Club - 11-22

**fluff** · 11-18-2002, 09:46 AM

From Hollywood.com

Quote:

Synopsis: William Hundert, St. Benedict's assistant headmaster, practices what he teaches. Striving to inspire his students to live rightly, he's the kind of impassioned Classics professor who believes the history of the Greeks and Romans is more than just a lesson about the past. He also believes the role of a teacher is not only to educate the pupil but to mold his character. But in the fall of 1972, Hundert finds his cloistered world of tradition and influence upended with the arrival of new freshmen Sedgewick Bell, the son of a West Virginia senator. Almost immediately, teacher and student become embroiled in a turbulent battle of wills with repercussions that would still be felt a quarter of a century later.

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**fluff** · 11-18-2002, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Statistics

Genre(s):
Adaptation
Drama
Rating: MPAA PG-13: some sexual content.
Runtime: 109 mins.

Cast & Role

Kevin Kline - William Hundert
Emile Hirsch - Sedgewick Bell
Embeth Davidtz - Elizabeth
Rob Morrow - James Ellerby
Edward Herrmann - Headmaster Woodbridge
Harris Yulin - Senator Bell
Paul Franklin Dano - Martin Blythe
Rishi Mehta - Deepak Mehta

***John*** · 11-18-2002, 10:26 AM

This just seems to be a weak ripoff of "The Dead Poets Society". I could be wrong, though, I'm just going by the trailers I've seen.

"An interesting story with a pertinent (cinematically unique) message, told fairly well and scored to perfection, I found myself struggling to put my finger on that elusive "missing thing.""
-- Ross Anthony, HOLLYWOOD REPORT CARD

"director Hoffman, his writer and Kline's agent should serve detention"
-- Laura Clifford, REELING REVIEWS

"An inspirational film that gives tribute to teachers while examining the cost of leading a life of virtue and morality."
-- Michael Elliott, MOVIE PARABLES

"I would have preferred a transfer down the hall to Mr. Holland’s class for the music, or to Robin Williams's lecture so I could listen to a teacher with humor, passion, and verve."
-- Jeffrey Overstreet, LOOKING CLOSER

"It's as if every teacher's greatest hits, from Mr. Chips to Mr. Holland, have been input into a computer that has in turn spit out something blandly generic."
-- Michael Rechtshaffen, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 50% (Rotten) rating, with 8 reviews in so far.

**fluff** · 11-18-2002, 10:36 AM

It certainly has a "Dead Poets" feel about it.

I like Kevin Kline though so I might give it a look if I have time at the weekend.

lobeck · 11-18-2002, 11:17 AM

It seems like "Dead Poet's Society" redux to me, as well. I'll probably see it, but most likely once it comes out on video...

BorderEevil2 · 11-18-2002, 12:55 PM

I am just curious on the "secret" that makes Kline resign his job at the school....

LG. · 11-18-2002, 04:49 PM

The ads remind me of Dead Poets too, but without the O Captain My Captain quotes. Hmm, I'll be interested to hear what people who see it think.

**fluff** · 11-19-2002, 08:13 AM

My guess on the secret is that he's either gay or he killed someone

I have to say, I love the new av Border. Christian Bale

***John*** · 11-22-2002, 10:45 AM

From the Salt Lake Tribune:

Quote:

'The Emperor's Club' Delivers an Earnest But Predictable Lesson

Friday, November 22, 2002

BY DAN NAILEN
THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

"The Emperor's Club" is the story of a classics professor and his Ivy League-caliber students, but the movie is most notable for how unenlightening it is in the long run.

Kevin Kline is William Hundert, a classics professor at a posh all-boys boarding school who teaches the sons of the rich and famous about Greek and Roman history with unwavering dedication and creativity. As assistant headmaster at St. Benedict's, Hundert also sees himself as a role model, preparing his young charges to become future honorable leaders.

To read the rest of this article, click on the link above.

Wayner · 11-22-2002, 11:14 AM

Quote:

I have to say, I love the new av Border. Christian Bale

That's Christian Bale? All this time I thought it was James Brolin from Amityville Horror!

11-18-2002, 10:36 AM	#4
fluff Why can't we just rewind? Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 40,530	It certainly has a "Dead Poets" feel about it. I like Kevin Kline though so I might give it a look if I have time at the weekend. __________________ "That's Numberwang!"

11-18-2002, 04:49 PM	#7
LG. perfectly pugnacious Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Whack-a-Mole Posts: 13,539	The ads remind me of Dead Poets too, but without the O Captain My Captain quotes. Hmm, I'll be interested to hear what people who see it think. __________________ Signature line? We don't need no stinkin' signature line.

11-19-2002, 08:13 AM	#8
fluff Why can't we just rewind? Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 40,530	My guess on the secret is that he's either gay or he killed someone I have to say, I love the new av Border. Christian Bale __________________ "That's Numberwang!"

11-18-2002, 10:26 AM	#3
*John* The race is back! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: On the mat Age: 38 Posts: 40,432 Blog Entries: 1	This just seems to be a weak ripoff of "The Dead Poets Society". I could be wrong, though, I'm just going by the trailers I've seen. "An interesting story with a pertinent (cinematically unique) message, told fairly well and scored to perfection, I found myself struggling to put my finger on that elusive "missing thing."" -- Ross Anthony, HOLLYWOOD REPORT CARD "director Hoffman, his writer and Kline's agent should serve detention" -- Laura Clifford, REELING REVIEWS "An inspirational film that gives tribute to teachers while examining the cost of leading a life of virtue and morality." -- Michael Elliott, MOVIE PARABLES "I would have preferred a transfer down the hall to Mr. Holland’s class for the music, or to Robin Williams's lecture so I could listen to a teacher with humor, passion, and verve." -- Jeffrey Overstreet, LOOKING CLOSER "It's as if every teacher's greatest hits, from Mr. Chips to Mr. Holland, have been input into a computer that has in turn spit out something blandly generic." -- Michael Rechtshaffen, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 50% (Rotten) rating, with 8 reviews in so far.

11-18-2002, 11:17 AM	#5
lobeck Oh no you di'int! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Right here, right now Age: 44 Posts: 14,154	It seems like "Dead Poet's Society" redux to me, as well. I'll probably see it, but most likely once it comes out on video...

11-18-2002, 12:55 PM	#6
BorderEevil2 Fort Beaudyfull Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Francisco,CA Age: 40 Posts: 939	I am just curious on the "secret" that makes Kline resign his job at the school....