“The Emperor’s Club” (Universal Pictures)
Every once in a while a movie comes along that should be perceived as excellent in every way. The only thing it has going against it is a couple of movies that preceded it which contained the same theme. Such is the case with “The Emperor’s Club.” This is a movie that has a great storyline, solid acting, and a good payoff at the end. But so did “Good-bye, Mr. Chips” and “Dead Poets Society.” And they got there first.
Kevin Kline plays William Hundert, the assistant headmaster at St. Benedict’s School For Boys. He is a teacher who loves his subject – history, and who loves his students. What he loves most of all is seeing them learn and grow.
When Sedgewick Bell (Emile Hirsch) comes into his classroom and into his life, Hundert recognizes him as a kindred spirit. Bell, like Hundert, has a father (Harris Yulin) who is full of power. He is a United States Senator and a man who demands his son excel in everything. Hundert’s father was a great mind in the academic world and never gave his son the attention he deserved.
Hundert’s strives to motivate Sedgewick in every way he can. And finally, after much effort, he begins to see results. Sedgewick becomes one of the finalists for the Julius Caesar Award, a true honor which is bestowed upon only one boy each year.
When Sedgewick gets a chance to compete for this prize as one of the three finalists Mr. Hundert has selected, something happens which affects Hundert for the rest of his life. Twenty-five years later it still resonates in his brain and colors how he lives his life.
Kline is remarkably good as Hundert. He makes him a true father figure for the boys as well as being a fastidious and fascinating man. Hirsch is equally good as the enigmatic Bell.
The movie is rated PG-13 for some profanity. In light of other films that have received that rating, this movie should have been only a PG.
“The Emperor’s Club” is truly entertaining. It has a point to make and does it with skill and great entertainment value. But so did “Chips” and “Dead Poets.” As you are watching this movie those two films linger in your subconscious. They whisper that you have seen it all before, and in a way you have.
The spirit of movies past render “The Emperor’s Club” a good movie but not a unique and great one.
I scored “The Emperor’s Club” a romanesque 7 out of 10
©2002 Jackie K. Cooper
