I gather that the book focused on race and romance more, but I like the film's focus on other matters without those diversions (which might have spread it too thinly). The struggle between doing a job that pays or a job that is rewarding. The last year at school, in a sort of limbo. Neither pupil nor adult. The gradual realisation that teachers are kind of normal, that life is about to get tougher and that the 'cool' kids at school can be back to square one the day school finishes and the big wide world awaits.
It is seems like it is widely considered wholly unrealistic, but lots of aspects really resonated with my own experiences and feelings, both as child and as man. Possibly more so than any other coming of age film.
7/10
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Reply by genplant29
on June 3, 2020 at 5:33 PM
I love this movie. Anytime it's ever turned back up on t.v., I gladly watch it yet again.
PS: And the music is wonderful!
Reply by Fergoose
on June 3, 2020 at 5:49 PM
Hah, yes. I gathered your enthusiasm for the music from the other thread. A good song and I didnt mind that they used it several times because they used it in different ways (intro, stills, finale).
Reply by znexyish
on June 3, 2020 at 7:15 PM
I also like the opening scene in the bus and the museum trip. The story is that there was a shoot in the museum planned but the museum backed out and only allowed a short time. Hence the wonderful still shot montage
Reply by Fergoose
on June 13, 2020 at 6:43 PM
That's great to know. I can't think of seeing anything similar in a film before. It was more powerful because it came at the precise moment when the kids began to show maturity (and were given any trust) and when Sir was possibly having an impact. It was in some ways sandwiched between the two halves of the film. I thought it was an inspired decision to do this and it turns out to have pretty much been an accident!?