The Class

In Laurent Cantet's extraordinarily vivid semi-improv adaptation of Francois Bégaudeau's memoir about a year spent teaching in the classroom of an inner-city Parisian high school, Bégaudeau himself stars as Francois Marin, who leads a multiethnic group of students in the study of French literature. An energetic, quick-thinking instructor with a genuine concern for his charges, Francois is more reluctant than several of his colleagues to declare them hopeless cases. But while tolerant of challenges from the kids and willing to try new methods, Francois also displays flashes of irritability and on one occasion makes a serious error in judgment. Mini-crises erupt as Francois' techniques are questioned, his control over the students deteriorates, and the resident status of some kids—as well as their parents—becomes uncertain. Unlike most high school stories, The Class isn't driven by a simple plot or a preordained hopeful ending; rather, the film revels in the ordinary realities of school life presented in small but telling vignettes in a gritty documentary style. An incredibly honest and revealing film about public education in the age of multiculturalism and globalization, this is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a “making-of” documentary (41 min.), audio/video commentary on select scenes by director Laurent Cantet and writer/costar François Bégaudeau (24 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is a half-hour “Actors' Workshop,” 12 minutes of “Actors' Self-Portraits,” and the BD-Live function. Bottom line: a fine extras package for an excellent film.] (F. Swietek)