The History Boys

They don't make them like this anymore. Teenagers you can feel hopeful about. No thugs. Not internet obsesed. Boys from middling school pursuing Oxford/Cambridge. Challenged to look deeper into literature and world events. Caring adults facing the messes in their own lives. I know, it sounds boring but it isn't. Great stock British actors delivering witty, touching material. Even the delicate subject of the sexual lines between teachers and their horny, nearly-adult charges handled without purience or hysteria.

Fair warning: you have to think in order to understand this film. And if you don't know much about history and literature, you probably won't get it. It is wonderfully British, wonderfully au courant. Try to imagine American high school students, even at a private school, knowing more than 1 % of what these boys know -- you can't. If you've studied any French at all, the scene in which the boys and their teacher improvise a scene in French is just screamingly funny. In addition, the music playing and singing are funny and moving. I've seen it at least a dozen times and am not done yet. To anyone getting stuck at the implied homosexuality -- get over it! Stop being so hopelessly provincial!. Enjoy the film, for goodness' sake, and stop moralizing.

Wonderful story and well performed!!

This was seriously one of the worst things I have ever seen on Broadway. I have lived in NYC for 20 years, am a serious theatre patron and have seen a lot of play and this was the worst. Richard Griffiths wins praise and awards simply for being fat and crying. He is the most over hyped performer in theatre today. Save your money and if you want to see a brilliant broadway show on film get Doubt.

While homosexuality is but a part of the movie, as the plot summary states, it's "an engaging, thought-provoking , and wickedly funny look at history, the pursuit of knowledge, and the utter randomlness of life". The movie is wordy, and not everyone might appreciate that. If you're looking for more of a slapstick humour, this is not for you. The humour is in the wit and in circumstances that have been built up. Having gone through the A-levels and all that, and am experiencing a totally different system here now, I especially find the parts about the pursuit of knowledge poignant. It is not so much what is right that matters but how you present them. The clash of the two teachers make a very strong statement about what really matters in academics and life. The homosexuality in the movie isn't so much about "naughty, naughty" but more of a exploration of acceptance and longing. Some touching is involved, but there is a whole very sad quality to it at the end of the day. The music is great, and musical parts are just worked into the scenese, creating a very enjoyable movie. I am appalled by the reviewer before me and his injustice to the movie. This is not a blockbuster Hollywood flick.

This movie is fantastic! I wish I could have seen the show. The characters are all well developed, very witty, and perfectly charming. This is one of my all time favorite movies. I could watch it again and again!

This is a great, mature movie that touches upon some...unique circumstances and has quite a profound feel to it. I wish Itunes provided the soundtrack as well.

Just an amazing movie. I wish I could have seen the theater production. The acting is superb and the dialogue is witty, sometimes powerful. It is controversial, but amazingly open. Be prepared to deal with some taboo subjects handled in a suprsingly mature way. Stick with it and you will be rewarded!

Awesome movie it would be nice if they had dead poet society as well as dangrous minds great edcational movies