Okay, enough with the comparisons to “Dead Poets Society.”
Yes, “The Emperor’s Club” and “Dead Poets Society” are both set in all boys schools and have titles that sound like names of quiz teams. And yes, both movies feature prominent actors (Robin Williams and Kevin Kline) portraying influential teachers.
However, “The Emperor’s Club” is different. Instead of exploring the self realization of the students, the film is about morals and, most importantly, the realization of success and how it is often misunderstood.
Based on “The Palace Thief,” a short story by Ethan Canin, “The Emperor’s Club” was directed by veteran director Michael Hoffman – who has directed Kline before in “Soapdish” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
The film begins with teacher William Hundert (Kline) sitting in a five-star hotel reminiscing 25 years back in time. In the flashback, Hundert is an educator of early western civilization at the St. Benedict’s School for Boys and is introduced to a new class of adolescents. One afternoon while conducting a class on Julius Caesar, Hundert’s curriculum is interrupted when Sedgewick Bell (Emile Hirsch) is admitted into his class.
Bell, a prominent senator’s son, quickly becomes the popular troublemaker, and Hundert takes on the project of bringing Bell up to his potential.
Predictably, Bell excels in his studies with the influence of his passionate teacher. He shows so much potential and brings his grades up in time for the prestigious Julius Caesar competition – a competition that tests the students’ knowledge of western civilization.
In a decision which will haunt him for decades, Hundert raises a grade to ensure Bell a spot as a finalist for the competition. Hundert says with pride, “He has come out of the darkness into the light.” However, those noticing the previous references made to Brutus from “Julius Caesar” could conclude Bell is not what he is cracked up to be.
Hundert’s bubble bursts when he alone notices Bell cheating in the competition. With his project in ruins, Hundert feels he has failed as a teacher, and gives up on Bell.
Twenty five years later Hundert experiences failure again when he is rejected for the head master’s position at St. Benedict’s.
After resigning his teaching position, Hundert – lost and questioning his abilities – attempts a writing career when he is confronted with an invitation that gives him hope. A much older Bell (played by Joel Gretsch), now the CEO of a major corporation, invites Hundert to host a re-match of the Julius Caesar competition. Bell invites the entire class to one of his hotels for the competition and for a reunion in Hundert’s honor.
The flashback ends and we are brought back to Hundert sitting in Bell’s hotel before the competition. Hundert, with a new sense of hope, hosts the competition with enthusiasm. The competition seems to be going well when, like a second slap in the face, the hopeful professor notices Bell cheating again – this time with modern technology. Hundert does not let the rest know about the incident but confronts Bell in private, and as a result of the disappointing confrontation Hundert abjures his hope one last time.
To break the dramatic weight of the film, a touch of comedy was added as a good compliment. In one humorous scene, Hundert is challenged by the boys to play baseball and ends up breaking the head master’s car window.
Kline’s performance as the struggling professor was perfect, proving once again that he is one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors.
Kline, who has made audiences laugh in “A Fish Called Wanda” and “Soapdish,” charms the audience with his dramatic reactions and encounters with the younger actors in the film. However, the unmatched talent of the younger actors in the film proves to be its only negative aspect, making it seem off balance.
“The Emperor’s Club” is a simple story with a good message and leaves the audience feeling enlightened right along with Hundert.
