excellent movie, very well done!

I didn't care for this film much. The idea is great, but I've seen this topic covered in much deeper ways (see "Freedom Writers" and "To Sir, With Love.")

Excellent classroom drama based on the autobiography of François Bégaudeau, who plays himself in the lead role as a school teacher in Paris. The film examines the relationship between the teacher and students who come from different cultural backrounds, posing many challenges for Francois. His intentions are good yet he can't reach some of his difficult students. Their interactions are engaging and sometimes amusing.

This is the worst movie I've ever seen.

Almost a docu-drama. It could have been shorter, and unfortunately might discourage anyone who was thinking of becoming a teacher.

This film nearly drove me nuts. It's based on the autobiography of French teacher Francois Begaudeau who also plays Mr. Marin in the movie. The modern day , melting pot of French society , portrayed in this classroom seriously made my blood boil. After years in the educational system, I found the lack of discipline , respect and incredibly weak understanding of the English language absolutely frightening. The struggles in this film are deepened by the lack of responsibility teachers are forced to accept in such a culturally diverse situation. The film was long ( 2 hrs 10 mins) and the English voice overs weren't the best ; however , the film drew me in and even with the frustration of facing a new reality within the educational system ,I enjoyed the film.

Now, if you like docu-feature films that put troubled teens against their tortured teachers, then this French film will make your evening. I was interested throughout the film but felt myself saying "So what!" after it was over.

wow--terrific movie. to sir with love it ain't. multiracial kids, white teacher. played by the author of book it's based on. has the feel of a doc.

No wonder President Nicolas Sarkozy has asked his country's social scientists to take another look at its current and future multicultural social fabric! If the educational system in France's capital city is as inept as this movie portrays it to be, it's a harbinger for trouble to come - nationwide! The students in this film are inner-city Paris partisans, who have more than a healthy curiosity about life and the subjects being taught to them. It seems, they also have a really nasty disrespect for their teachers and the school system, and each other, and life in general. All this at 13-14 years of age, if you can believe the movie's script. Ah, yes... the script... clearly, it WAS scripted... so who is ready to swallow even half of what the director would have you believe is true? Or is any or all of it, fabrications dedicated to French director Laurent Cantet's overly active "cinema verite" style. For example - what educational system allows students from a peer group of thirteen year olds, equal access to and billing in a teachers' scrum where very personal comments about other students general conduct and subject-grades are being discussed? Did it never occur to any of these adult mental midgets assigned to the task of teaching these dubious delinquents that those so-called reps would lack the maturity necessary to keep the sanctity of such a meeting - private and confidential? Of course - as might be expected by any reasonable person watching this ridiculous scenario unfold - the two student reps, still grappling with puberty and fluctuating hormones, spill the beans to their classmates on what was said at the meeting, thus leading to a fabricated conflict in the film, that serves as a microcosm for much of the tension in the classroom. People who are critical of Canada's multiculturalism policies that have been in effect since the 1960's should thank their lucky stars that our country, at least, had the foresight to see and deal with the issues that France and much of Europe is only now facing. And - judging by this film's flash icon of Paris' educational system - is handling very badly! As for the film itself - I kept shaking my head at it - unable to believe its main characters' (especially the teachers - what dolts!) "in-a-closet-like-approach" to imminent alarm - crisis - and danger. If this is truly a slice of what Paris' inner-city educational institutions have become, then the response of the people in charge, seems surreal. It's either that - or director Cantet sensationalized and took gross liberties with his artistic license - all for hype's sake and shock value! So far out of Paris... no new French revolution... therefore, for now, I'll assume, the latter.

Good – The Class (2008) 128 min. Foreign – French. Actual title: “Entre les Murs”, directly translated as “Within These Walls”. This is an honest look at the dilemmas teachers are faced with everyday. One in particular: what to do with a student whose behaviour threatens the ability of other students to move forward in their education? What I liked most about this film is the incredibly well-crafted dialogue between teacher and teacher/teacher and student – it felt so real. Nominated for Best Foreign Picture (2009 Oscars).