Movie Review: Dead Poets Society by Sean Co (2IS-A)

Directed by Peter Weir, the movie entitled, “Dead Poets Society” was a movie that focuses
mainly on drama released in 1989. The movie revolves around the life of several students in
Welton Academy as their lives changed when they met their English Teacher named John
Keating. John Keating was introduced in the movie as a graduate of Welton Academy with a
unique method of teaching especially on the topic “poetry” in which he relates with freedom and
the fullness of life. Additionally, he was also shown in the academy’s graduation book to have an
affiliation of an organization known as the Dead Poets Society during his high school life which
inspired his students mainly Todd, Neil, Knox, Steven, Charlie, Gerard and Richard to reconvene
the long-forgotten organization of Keating. Other than that, the movie highlights the fellowship
and individual struggles of the said students with regards to their life and as a member of the dead
poets society.

In relation to freedom, certain characters portray a type of freedom that was developed in
the movie. To be exact, the student named Charlie Dalton exhibits the first type of freedom known
as the “freedom from”. It was evident in Charlie’s character that he was the type of person who
has a “happy go lucky” personality wherein he exercised his freedom by fulfilling his own personal
desires and well-being. Regardless of the consequence of his actions, Charlie nonetheless lived
a life as if above by the laws and policies of the academy.

Moving on, the student named Neil Perry was portrayed with the second type of freedom
known as the “freedom to”. It is because Neil lived a life fulfilling the desires of his family members
mainly his Father who wanted Neil to be excellent in academics and to become a doctor in the
future even though Neil’s passion is on acting. It was as if his father is dictating the very life of
how Neil should live which eventually made Neil frustrated and torn apart between following his
passion or his father. Although it was later developed in the movie that Neil changed from
“freedom to” to “freedom from” as he neglected his father’s wishes to quit acting rather, he still
pursued acting which is a clear sign of following one’s personal desire.

Last but not least is the student named Richard Cameron who exercised the third type of
freedom known as the “freedom to be”. Richard was portrayed as a practical person who lives his
life by the rules and regulations of the academy. And so, Richard, in the end, falsely accused their
English teacher Keating that Keating’s teaching method influenced the very cause of death of
their recently deceased friend Neil who later committed suicide in the movie. Richard did this for
the sake of the benefit of his friends and the society to avoid a scandal with regards to the recent
suicide and consequences that they don’t deserve. In other words, Richard prioritized the greater
good with regards to the recent problematic situation that the students are facing.