The Emperor's Club
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Metascore
49 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 32 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 22 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Starring: Emile Hirsch, Kevin Kline
  • Summary: Adapted from Ethan Canin's acclaimed short story "The Palace Thief," this film explores the turbulent relationship between a high school Classics professor (Kline) and one of his students (Hirsch).

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 32
  3. Negative: 5 out of 32
  1. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    90
    This isn't a stand up and cheer flick; it's a sit down and ponder affair. And thanks to Kline's superbly nuanced performance, that pondering is highly pleasurable.
  2. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    75
    Kevin Kline's performance shows a deep understanding of the character, who is, after all, better than most teachers, and most men. We care for him, not because he is perfect, but because he regrets so sincerely that he is not.
  3. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    60
    It's refreshing that there's any moral at all, and that despite its warm and fuzzy trappings, the film floats actual ideas and sprinkles serious questions of ethics and morality atop the usual Hollywood syrup.
  4. Time
    Reviewed by: Richard Corliss
    30
    May leave viewers emotionally disconnected from this distinctly unchipper Mr. Chips.

See all 32 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 3 out of 17
  1. Roscoe
    9
    The critics that damn this film are out of touch with the real meaning of this film and are likely to be devoid of any ethics, sensitivity and purpose in life. It shows why they are critics, rather people who perform a role that adds any real value to society. They are sad cases and I feel sorry for them. I love this movie.… Expand
  2. [Anonymous]
    8
    It's not as bad a critics claim it is. Kline is good, and the situation with that one cheater kid is interesting. Also shows how strict private schools get...sheesh (but they all got rich! or stayed that way). Guess that kid never changed.… Expand
  3. Summersausage
    3
    This movie is a aftershock of Dead Poet's Society and it goes down in flames due to it's predictable plot and uninteresting characters. The ending was unique but most of it was unnecessary. Costner has never been my favorite and he has proven again he is only a par actor.… Expand

See all 17 User Reviews

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