Monsieur Lazhar [Blu-ray] [2012] [US Import]

This film has gathered many favourable reviews, dealing as it does with issues of loss, grief, attachment and healing. As many reviewers on this page have already outlined the plot, I'll concentrate more on performance and direction, and how successful this is overall.

The acting throughout is very impressive, especially from those playing the schoolchildren, with some very moving and luminous performances, reflecting anger, frustration, despair, the weight of guilt, and the unquenchable need for love and physical contact. This quietly understated film, while not quite in the class of the 'documentary' Etre et Avoir, allows us to observe the journey which many of the characters, both adult & child, make through grief, abandonment, isolation, guilt to redemption, growth and healing, where children are also able to help adults (Mr Lazhar) heal and recover, just as he also helps them confront their own traumas, despite the rigidity of the education system, which requires that they and other adults need to 'move on', to the detriment of all.

Monsieur Lazhar looks at the merits and weaknesses of modern v 'traditional' teaching/learning approaches, and the gaping hole which forbids physical contact between teacher & child. In our eagerness to protect against potential abuse, we have also forsaken one of the most natural of human instincts, the need for consolation, and this is something this film makes explicit. A number of scenes between children and adults, and even between adults (Lazhar visiting a female colleague) underlines the 'learned awkwardness' which can bedevil communication and understanding. Sometimes the structure of the educational system is also seen to prove counterproductive to young people trying to understand their way through life.

This gentle film boasts no melodramatic climaxes, preferring to underplay the level of emotional undercurrents, though always able to hint at the weight of the iceberg which lies beneath even everyday and apparently mundane incidents. Perhaps dramatically the film suffers from the new teacher being given a surprisingly gentle reception by his traumatised class, and there is a sense that the direction avoids the uncomfortable and the challenging elements one might expect in the circumstances. However, overall this is a strong, yet understated piece of cinema, with an appropriately sensitive soundtrack, and some thoroughly engaging performances.

As my review copy was simply a disc, I'm unable to comment on the value/quality of the accompanying notes etc. This is a journey to watch for the strength of the engaging performances, and the mirror of society it reflects.

Canadian subtitled film, "Monsieur Lazhar," begins with the suicide of 6th grade teacher Martine Lachance. The titular character is hired to teach the class of eleven and twelve year olds. The drama focuses on how the children deal with the death of their beloved teacher but it soon becomes clear that Mr Lazhar also has troubles of his own.

"Monsieur Lazhar," offers a sensitive exploration of grief, particularly of the two children who saw Martine's body. It also explores the education system and differences in teaching methods between Quebec and Algeria where Lazhar originates.

I am a huge film buff and sometimes in my snobbishness towards films I tend to avoid films I don't think I'll like. One look at this cover screams worthy Oscar bait nonsense that I would despise. However I was very wrong this is a beautiful film about how kids cope with a tragedy that adults are making a mess of, it deals with institutional racism on such a nuanced level. This film is a joy to watch from the central performance to some outstanding child acting, it also leaves the audience wanting more without spoon feeding everything. A lovely wonderful surprise