The Class (Laurent Cantet, 2008): France

Reviewed by Nicole de Jong. Viewed at the AFI Film Festival, Archlight Hollywood.

My first impression from the movie The Class was not so good. This movie is boring and has not a really good story. Actually there is no story going on. The class is definitely not interesting. The movie is funny sometimes and easy to see, but also very long-winded. Everyone can see this movie, but I think the target group here is young people.

I saw The Class at the AFI filmfestival. The class is directed by Laurent Cartet. Francois Begaudeau, Nassim Amrabt, Laura Baguela, Cherif Bounaidja Rachedi is the cast of the class.

The Class is about: François and his fellow teachers prepare for a new year at a high school in a tough neighborhood. Armed with the best intentions, they brace themselves to not let discouragement stop them from trying to give the best education to their students. Cultures and attitudes often clash in the classroom, a microcosm of contemporary France.

I think that the performances from the cast were not so good. Especially the performances of the children in the class were a lot of time fake. In this movie is not a lot of music, but that is also not necessary. The use of the camera is steady and not interesting.

The class is a nice movie, because you can compare yourself with the children in the class. Everyone has been in school and recognized things in the movie. But when you ask me; ”Is this movie worth to see?” I would say no, and don’t go there when you haven’t seen it yet.