Movie · 2004 · Drama, Comedy, Music · 1h 37m · PG · French
Curator score: 7.3/10 (233.9K ratings)
Overview
In 1940s France, a new teacher at a school for disruptive boys gives hope and inspiration.
Ratings
Curator score: 7.3/10
IMDb: 7.9/10
Letterboxd: 4.03/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 68%
Metacritic: 56
TMDB: 7.7/10
Director
Christophe Barratier
Production
Galatée Films, Pathé Renn Productions, Vega Film, France 2 Cinéma, Novo Arturo Films
Cast
Gérard Jugnot, François Berléand, Kad Merad, Jean-Paul Bonnaire, Marie Bunel, Jean-Baptiste Maunier, Maxence Perrin, Grégory Gatignol, Thomas Blumenthal, Cyril Bernicot, Philippe du Janerand, Carole Weiss, Erick Desmarestz, Didier Flamand, Jacques Perrin, Simon Fargeot, Théodule Carré-Cassaigne, Armen Godel, Steve Gadler, Paul Chariéras
Curator Review
Verdict
A warmly moving, crowd-pleasing drama with a memorable choral soundtrack and a gentle, restorative arc. It’s especially effective if you like stories about troubled kids, compassionate teachers, and music as a force for change.
Best for
fans of inspirational school dramas
viewers who like emotional but accessible foreign-language films
people drawn to ensemble stories about troubled youth
audiences who enjoy choral music and uplifting endings
Skip if
you want gritty realism with no sentimentality
you dislike teacher-saves-the-kids stories
you prefer fast-paced plots over character-driven warmth
you’re not in the mood for a tearjerker
Overview
Set in postwar France, this is a tender, old-fashioned film about discipline, dignity, and the small acts that can change a child’s life. It leans into familiar school-drama beats, but the performances and the music give it a sincere, affecting glow that keeps it from feeling generic.
Worth noting
What makes it work is its balance of melancholy and hope. The boys are unruly, funny, and vulnerable, while the teacher’s quiet patience gives the story its emotional center. The film understands that art and kindness can be forms of rescue, even in a harsh institution.
Bottom line
It can feel a little polished and sentimental, especially if you’ve seen a lot of inspirational classroom movies. But the choral sequences are genuinely beautiful, and the ending lands with real feeling. For viewers open to a heartfelt, classical style, it’s an easy recommendation.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Al (3★) · 2305 likes
I probably would've enjoyed this more if my french teacher didnt force me to watch it
amy (4★) · 1486 likes
I want to adopt pépinot and about half of the kids in this school
Cozy Weather (3.5★) · 1295 likes
It was like a serious "School of Rock" set in the 40s with French people.
srkinninger (3★) · 918 likes
french dead poets society with singing 😎
gemma_rose (4★) · 674 likes
pierre morhange: did you fuck my mom clément mathieu