THE EMPEROR'S CLUB centers on an inspiring and committed teacher of classical history, Mr. Hundert (Kevin Kline), who believes that "a man's character determines his fate" and that it is his job to mold the character of his students. An insolent new student named Sedgewick Bell (Emile Hirsch) provides Hundert's greatest challenge. He seems to value nothing but pleasure and shocking people. He knows that he will have the protection of his father, a Senator. But he's bitter and angry about his distant father. Hundert is patient and sympathetic. We get a glimpse of Hundert's feelings about his own father. Hundert gently persuades Bell to care about succeeding on the school's terms. And that means competing for the school's highest honor – the "Mr. Julius Caesar" competition. Bell does care, perhaps more deeply than Hundert knows. Hundert bends the rules to put Bell in the final competition. But he has to make an important decision that will determine the outcome, taking into account the needs not just of Bell but of the school and the other students in the competition as well. Many years later, he must revisit those choices and reconsider the role he has played in the lives of the young men put under his care.