Friday 29 November 2013

The History Boys (2006) Film Response

After hearing so much about this film but never having the opportunity to watch it, I deliberately set out to borrow it from the library and watch it - And jeezzz did I not regret it!

I didn't really know that much about the film other then James Corden was in it, however in the opening credits i saw that it was written by Alan Bennett and i was immediately excited to watch it. I've been a big Alan Bennett fan since i stared to have an obsession with English and writing, he is a personal favourite.

The film took a really strange approach to the relationships between a pupil and it's student, particularly Hector's feelings towards pupils and at no point was he demonized because of it, one of the only films that as taken that approach to it. Also, a very casual approach to homosexuality in all-boy grammar schools.
The writing was sensational, very typical Alan Bennett in style and was 100% compelling throughout. The way he uses words and foundations of linguistics to create themes and an educated patwar between the students was simply fantastic. One of my favourite moments was when Hector and Posner are in the classroom talking about poems and there's almost a mirror line between the both of them, as if they're both reflecting eachother's feelings and how a poem is way of voicing that. About how it's humbling to know when a writer feels exactly the way that you do and how that connects all of the 'History Boys' together, even though they seem very disconnected. However, my absolute favourite moment in the film was after Hectors funeral when each student was talking about what they'd become and how each career perfectly reflected their personality. The incredibly emotional moment as you realize why Lockwood is sat there silently and doesn't say a word and Posner's almost soliloque about how Hector has effected him.

This has easily become one of my favourite films - absolutely fantastic. 9.5/10

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