 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Emperor's Club
- Review Date: May 19, 2003
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2002
Common Sense Media says
Some mature content, but fine for many teens.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has some mature material, including very strong language, nudie magazines, and a reference to co-ed skinny dipping. Characters drink and smoke. The issue of character and integrity is a theme of the movie.
What's the story?
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.
Is it any good?
There is a very rich tradition of books and movies set in schools. One reason is that like another popular setting, submarines, they present a closed environment. But the real reason is that schools and teachers play such a definitive role in our lives, not just during our formative years but always. This movie is about one of those teachers. It has a lot in common with such classics of the genre as Dead Poet's Society, but this time the story is told from the perspective of the teacher, rather than the students. And the teacher is the kind only the luckiest of us are able to have once or twice in our school careers.
The first three quarters of the movie works well. Like the students, we cannot help being captivated and inspired by Hundert. But when the scene shifts to the present day so that Hunderdt can examine his own contribution and find that he has done both more and less than he thought, the story lurches into melodrama. Yet, Kevin Kline brings all of his considerable charisma and magnetism to his role here.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Senator Bell's statement that it is his job to mold his son's character, not the school's. In what way did he try to mold his son's character? How was his son like him and how was he different? Is it possible to mold someone else's character? What role does a school play, and what role do teachers play? Who else influences a person's character and values? How much do we create for ourselves? What do we learn from Hundert's reaction to Elizabeth's news about moving away? What do we learn from his reaction to breaking the headmaster's window? What do Hundert and Bell learn from their final encounter? What will your contribution be?
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AGE
AMAZING!!!!
Its a great movie. Personally I watched it in my classroom and had to right an assignment on it. Everyone thought that it was just going to be another boring movie but people actually talked about it and re-watched it on they're own time!
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TEC Recommend
I love The Emperor's Club. It makes me want to have some fun. I watched it on my Ipod, I watched the whole thing until the part where William Hundert told the older Sedgwick Bell that they are forced to look at themselves in the mirror and see who they really are. You'll love it. In the movie, I prefer to call his character William Hundert. Almost everyone else calls him Mr. Hundert.
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AGE
It will change lives
This movie is one of the greatest teacher movies of all time. They changed lives and so you will
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Michael Hoffman |
| Cast: | Emile Hirsch, Kevin Kline, Steven Culp |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 110 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 21, 2002 |
| DVD release date: | May 6, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | language, sexual references |
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