I found this film very moving as I watched it, and I agree that much of the acting is of the highest quality, but thank goodness this was redeemed by being based on a true story because in the end its the kind of saccharin sweet mush that would normally have me reaching for the zapper.
It's a gratifying experience to watch such a positive film but when it was over and I considered the way it skirted round the social and abuse issues involved, how it had painted such a black and white picture of idealism triumphing against the system I felt that it was just another vapid cop-out. So one teacher, with almost limitless enthusiasm and social resources, puts her career and her family life on the line to help a bunch of gang-subservient kids find their own voice by revealing the truth about "the biggest gang of them all" the Nazis. And everyone learns to stop worrying and love Anne Frank. But they don't. The horrors of the world the students live in go on as before while on the screen we are presented with the illusion that the world has become a better place.
I think I shed a tear as I watched then five minutes later my attitude was pretty much "So what?" But the story did get my interest and I intend to follow it up. I think there is a documentary out there which might tell this more objectively/realistically so I'll try to track it down. And if the real thing is as sweet as this movie - let's just say I'll be surprised.
It's a gratifying experience to watch such a positive film but when it was over and I considered the way it skirted round the social and abuse issues involved, how it had painted such a black and white picture of idealism triumphing against the system I felt that it was just another vapid cop-out. So one teacher, with almost limitless enthusiasm and social resources, puts her career and her family life on the line to help a bunch of gang-subservient kids find their own voice by revealing the truth about "the biggest gang of them all" the Nazis. And everyone learns to stop worrying and love Anne Frank. But they don't. The horrors of the world the students live in go on as before while on the screen we are presented with the illusion that the world has become a better place.
I think I shed a tear as I watched then five minutes later my attitude was pretty much "So what?" But the story did get my interest and I intend to follow it up. I think there is a documentary out there which might tell this more objectively/realistically so I'll try to track it down. And if the real thing is as sweet as this movie - let's just say I'll be surprised.