tumbling after You

Entre Les Murs (The Class), 2009.

“The Class” is based on an autobiographical novel by Francois Begaudeau, a drama that follows the year in the life of a French schoolteacher working at a high-school in a tough neighborhood of Paris. Ethnicities, cultures and attitudes often clash in the classroom. As amusing and inspiring as the teenage students can be, their difficult behavior can still jeopardize any teacher’s enthusiasm for the low-paying job. Francois insists on an atmosphere of respect and diligence. Neither stuffy nor severe, his extravagant frankness often takes the students by surprise. But his classroom ethics are put to the test when his students begin to challenge his methods. 

I don’t know what to make of this movie. Simultaneously frustrating and engrossing. Painfully noisy and appropriately silent. The line between discussion and argument is blurry and razor-thin. The protagonist teacher is no hero by any means, his own flaws uncomfortably displayed to the audience. And so many minor conflicts are left unresolved.

It doesn’t play out at all as expected of a movie about urban education. No, it was too authentic and honest, too real for comfort. I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn’t a documentary. But there’s something to be appreciated in its cinematic realism. The spectator doesn’t always get the privilege of witnessing neatly resolved conflicts and tied-off sidestories. The ending reminded me a lot of “Waiting for Superman,” leaving the same lingering dissatisfaction with a failing education system.

Definitely worth watching. Although it was a bit dialogue-heavy for a 3AM movie, hahah.