The Class

Name: The Class
Genre: Drama
Released: December 19, 2008
Duration: 128 min
Rating: 92
Cast: François Bégaudeau

2008

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 31 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 112 Ratings

See All

7.5

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.5	Your Score
7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 112 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

The Class

Now Playing: The Class

Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: December 19, 2008 | PG-13

Starring: François Bégaudeau

Summary: François and his fellow teachers prepare for a new year at a high school in a tough neighborhood. Armed with the best intentions, they brace themselves to not let discouragement stop them from trying to give the best education to their students. Cultures and attitudes often clash in the classroom, a microcosm of contemporary France. AsFrançois and his fellow teachers prepare for a new year at a high school in a tough neighborhood. Armed with the best intentions, they brace themselves to not let discouragement stop them from trying to give the best education to their students. Cultures and attitudes often clash in the classroom, a microcosm of contemporary France. As amusing and inspiring as the teenaged students can be, their difficult behavior can still jeopardize any teacher's enthusiasm for the low-paying job. François 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. (Sony Classics)… Expand

Director: Laurent Cantet

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 128 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

David Denby

I would be surprised if this brilliant and touching film didn't become required viewing for teachers all over the United States. Everyone else should see it as well--it's a wonderful movie. Read full review

100

Joe Morgenstern

The Class is clearly a microcosm of contemporary France, beset by social and economic tensions. More than that, though, it's a saga of education's struggles in many parts of the modern world. If only the film were pure fiction. Read full review

100

Dana Stevens

This unassuming movie will nail you to your seat. Read full review

Manohla Dargis

Here Mr. Cantet -- whose earlier features include "Human Resources" and "Time Out," two other dramas about systems of power -- has done that rarest of things in movies about children: He has allowed them to talk. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

The Class is a lovely, exhilarating work about the ways in which failure and frustration can open the pathways through which we make sense out of life. Read full review

Peter Travers

Fierce, funny and moving, The Class graduates with honors. It's unmissable. Read full review

Matthew Sorrento

The Class is a one-trick show: once you spot its approach, the narrative falls into a routine. To the "nsiders," the film is as familiar as an an aerial virtual reality ride would be to an airplane pilot. (This is hardly a surprise, since Bégaudeau was himself once an insider, though now safe in a film critic's chair.) Read full review

SEE ALL 31 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

JJR

Jan 31, 2009

This was truly an amazing film. Incredibly rewarding and challenging, it leaves a lot to think about after the credits roll.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

BillD.

Mar 1, 2009

I was totally absorbed in this movie. It was a 130- minute escape from the world that seemed more like 90 minutes. This movie is special.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ryancarroll88

Aug 26, 2010

A fresh dose of authenticity makes all of the situations and struggles found in "The Class" all the more compelling. In an age when the education system is overcome with scrutiny and pessimism against both teachers and students, the movie shows that we have to give it more than hope for itA fresh dose of authenticity makes all of the situations and struggles found in "The Class" all the more compelling. In an age when the education system is overcome with scrutiny and pessimism against both teachers and students, the movie shows that we have to give it more than hope for it to survive - we have to give it constant dedication. I'd definitely recommend the movie to anyone who's a teacher or planning to teach.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JaimeC

Apr 6, 2009

One of the other reviewers talks about this is a poor transformational drama... I often wonder if people actually watch the films in front of them. For transformational drama read no Hollywood ending, or read no moral to the story, or not even an uplifting ending... and surely that was the One of the other reviewers talks about this is a poor transformational drama... I often wonder if people actually watch the films in front of them. For transformational drama read no Hollywood ending, or read no moral to the story, or not even an uplifting ending... and surely that was the point. Whatever the teacher or the kids intended, nobody got anything. Nobody learned a thing. The illegal immigrant got sent home, the troublemaker got expelled, and the quiet girl really had nothing to say. That's what the film tried to capture, life isn't all swans, the majority stay as ugly ducks.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

domcalabrese

Oct 14, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie is not made for entertainment or for enjoyment, it is made to be a representation to the world of the difficulties of being a teacher in a French education environment. I am a student and found it mediocre as it was so accurate to a classroom situation. I appreciate this and I believe that this film explores the classroom atmosphere in a naturalistic sense without showing any extremes and still while highlighting key flaws that can occur anywhere, neither does it preach these flaws or show any resolve it just shows them. This is a brave move for any film writer and this is why it is so highly praised by the critics as they appreciate this courage and also find the film captivating in its unresolved nature.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

JamesG

Oct 1, 2009

Some interesting scenes and a lot of comic value from the terrible dubbing.

But above all this movie shows why classroom instruction is a terrible way to educate kids. It provides the illusion of education but no learning. The social context takes over and the material is an obstacle toSome interesting scenes and a lot of comic value from the terrible dubbing.

But above all this movie shows why classroom instruction is a terrible way to educate kids. It provides the illusion of education but no learning. The social context takes over and the material is an obstacle to be avoided. It isn't about learning, its about students and teachers making each other miserable. Real learning comes from books, experience, videos, tutoring, or tests. If I were teaching the class in the movie, I would devote all class time to testing, quizzes, worksheet, etc. It's the only way to get the kids to shut up and learn.

The movie also illustrates the comical unwillingness of educators to face reality. There is a teacher talking about what books to assign the kids, "I was thinking of starting them on Voltaire".… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

PerrT.

Feb 15, 2009

Boring - had to fight to stay awake. what are the critics thinking -- do they have a clue about what drama is? felt like my entire high school experience crammed into one protracted evening. metacritic let us down!!!!!! [ed: talk to the critics]

0 of 0 users found this helpful

SEE ALL 35 REVIEWS