I am actually a little bit nervous about showing it because I have a student in that class (according to the student rumor mill) who has been on suicide watch a couple of times.
But I have emphasized to my anxiety-riddled boys that high school angst is a temporary condition, that high school is not the best time of their lives, that they will be through it for better or worse in just a few years. It's a good place to mention that suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problems--I don't believe that the movie glorifies suicide, but shows it as a horrible waste of a good young man.
I also like the fact that the structure of the academy in the movie is much like what my kids live with every day. Kids rat on each other to save their own skins, and do so under the pressure of the school. But I loved how they showed Mr. Keating in the end--the boys knew that they had been dishonorable for the sake of the "honor code" and that Mr. Keating forgave them for it and understood. I would like my boys to end the year knowing that we want them to make good, honorable choices, but that we're still there for them if they stumble along the way. (Or that we might get fired.)
What do y'all think? Too risky?
Nutwench, I think this movie is a great choice for highschoolers. It is an oldie at this point, so most kids will never see it unless someone takes the time to dig it out and make 'em watch it, and other really great movies that were made before they were born...
You beat me to this one. I cried like a baby, and STILL get sad when I think about it all these years later.
Regarding hormones, I had my son nearly 15 years ago. When does the postpartum hormonal hell end? My husband would really like to know.
well, I just had a baby six years ago and I would like to know when I am going to lose the baby fat.
And the Gladiator soundtrack is the best!Love Hans Zimmer's compositions.
.
Gladiator, my all time favorite movie ever. and also the only soundtrack I've ever bought.
Heck, The Little Mermaid is older than my boys.
