Film Circle: "Dead Poets Society"

The Event: Come for light (but yummy) refreshments starting at 7pm. The film will start promptly at 7:30pm. The film runs 2 hours and 8 minutes. Afterward, we will hold a circle to discuss and explore the intersection of the film’s themes and our own paths.

Cost: $5 suggested donation

RSVP: Please RSVP on this page (if you’re a member), otherwise email your RSVP to cpearson11@yahoo.com. If you have questions, feel free to call me at 610-724-8848.

Directions: Click here. Parking: off of Darby Road, turn into the Oakmont Public Parking Lot, directly behind PMC.

Synopsis: In 1959, the Welton Academy is a staid but well-respected prep school where education is a pragmatic and rather dull affair. Several of the students, however, have their thoughts on the learning process (and life itself) changed when a new teacher comes to the school. John Keating (Robin Williams) is an unconventional educator who tears chapters of his textbooks and asks his students to stand on their desks to see the world from a new angle. Keating introduces his students to poetry, and his free-thinking attitude and the liberating philosophies of the authors he introduces to his class have a profound effect on his students, especially Todd (Ethan Hawke), who would like to be a writer; Neil, who dreams of being an actor, despite the objections of his father; Knox, a hopeless romantic; Steven, an intellectual who learns to use his heart as well as his head; Charlie, who begins to lose his blasé attitude; unconventional Gerard; and practical Richard. Keating urges his students to seize the day and live their lives boldly; but when this philosophy leads to an unexpected tragedy, the headmaster takes action and the drama unfolds. Dead Poets Society was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Williams; it won one, for Tom Schulman's original screenplay. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

See the Amazon reviews.