By: Jarray Davis
With a fight to become one of the best foreign-language films of the year, Canadian director Philippe Falardeau made sure that his film titled
Monsieur Lazhar, would be among the top. With the start of the movie only giving you glimpse of the lives that will soon be expressed, the mystery of the unknown prowls upon you as the movie concludes.
Monsieur Lazhar begins with a scene that immediately sinks your heart to the ground in shock. A young student by the name of Simon (Emilien Neron), is made his way to his classroom with a case of milk. As he approached the door, he stopped in his tracks and dropped the case of milk while the camera zooms in on the sight in which Simon had seen: His teacher hung herself in the classroom of empty seats. This scene is what progressed the emotion for the rest of the film as guilt and sadness waved through the lives of every person at this school.
The faculty of the school felt that it was best to bring in a psychologist to come and talk to the students that were dealing with grief after the terrible incident that took place. But as the film shows, a not-so teacher is what really brought joy and acceptance to the lives of the students.
Bachir Lazhar (Mohamed Fellag), who is from Algeria, felt that it was best that he took over the class. With secret tragedies and trauma of his own from Algeria, Lazhar had the ability to feel the grief that each student showed and was able to benefit their lives in a major way.
While other teachers and faculty tried their best to keep things on the down low and wanted everything to pass by and not dealt with properly, Lazhar was there to teach the students that it is okay for them to confront death in general. He showed that he cared and understood, unlike the others.
Although the speed of the film may come off as slow, the raw emotion that is expressed throughout the film allows you to finish the film in excitement.
Falardeau did an amazing job at connecting themes. The theme of coping was something that stood out. The way that Lazhar was able to show that he loved each of his students and that he himself also went through his share of tragedies. Coping not only encouraged the students but allowed some like Simon to understand that he needed to tell the truth about his part in the suicide of his teacher.
This movie is filled with mysteries that keeps you glued in until they are solved.The scene in which the class was talking with Lazhar and Alice (Sophie Nelisse), went out her to way to send a remark to Simon, inducing that he must have had a part in the death of the teacher. It's exciting to know that so many things were known in the beginning that we are the audience, didn't find out until the movie progressed.
With a drama filled with suspense,
Monsieur Lazhar is a great film for those who love to solve mysteries. The movie catches you off guard from the beginning and keeps you attached to your seat until the finish.
Monsieur Lazhar
Directors Philippe Falardeau
Running Time 1h 34min
Writer Philippe Falardeau
Genre Drama
Stars Mohamed Fellag, Sophie Nelisse, Emilien Neron
