Review: Entre les murs (2008)

[Steve Rhodes]

THE CLASS
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2009 Steve Rhodes

RATING (0 TO ****):  **

In THE CLASS (ENTRE LES MURS), a fictional film made with a documentary feel 
by director
Laurent Cantet, we follow a group of French eighth grade students.  Although 
I liked Cantet's TIME OUT (L' EMPLOI DU TEMPS) from a few years ago, I found 
THE CLASS not the least bit compelling.  If a similarly uneventful film 
about American students had been made, it would have never been released.  I 
know this because I've seen similar and much better such American movies at 
film festivals here.

Following kids about fourteen-years old, Cantet uses actual students to 
retell their own stories, hoping for a gripping authenticity.  But what 
comes across on the screen feels like a sanitized version of real life. 
Classroom emotions, especially in inner city classrooms like this one in 
Paris, are usually much more dramatic.  The movie's kids act more like how 
they wish they were than how they probably are.  Much is made of the class's 
multi-racial composition, since the school is filled with Africans, Arabs 
and other ethnic groups.

Scenes of the teacher discussing the conjugation of French verbs with his 
students are not exactly riveting cinema.   Similarly, when, in the 
teachers' staff meeting, they get bogged down in a discussion about how to 
repair their coffee machine and about what would be a fair price to charge 
per cup, don't be surprised if you find yourself starting to nod off.  Yes, 
yes, I know.  This film was the darling at 2008's Cannes Film Festival, 
taking home the coveted Golden Palm award.  Personally, I learned nothing 
from the movie, as its little messages were trite and modest at best.

Eventually, in the last act, conflict finally arises, with one student 
accidentally hitting another with his backpack, causing the injured student 
to bleed a bit.  This sets off the only interesting part of the drama, as we 
watch the French school bureaucracy twists itself into knots trying to deal 
with the case.  The student ends up facing a formal hearing in which the 
student is brought before a body consisting of student representatives, a 
parent representative, and various teachers and administrators.

As this quasi-trial drags on, it's not clear what will happen to the 
student.  And, since the accused student's teacher is said to have used a 
harsh word to two girls, which might have inspired the student's anger, the 
committee has to consider the teacher's actions as well.

THE CLASS runs a long 2:08.  The film is in French with English subtitles. 
It is rated PG-13 for "language" and would be acceptable for kids around 10 
and up.

The film is playing in limited release now in the United States.

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