Cinema Montreal

Very good! I say it should've won the Best Foreign Movie Award.

An exceptional movie, and Canadian, too!! Very well-done. I am usually of the opinion that children in film should be seen and not heard, but this is one of the rare exceptions where they actually add to the movie. This reminds me of the French movie Pocket Change. I suspect that the great child acting has to do with being in a classroom setting; children don't have to act in a classroom, it's their natural environment. Shows the changing landscape of Canadian culture beautifully. All of the acting was superb, and I am looking forward to seeing this again on dvd.

Such a great Canadian flick. The Quebecois really know how to produce touching movies without sloppiness. Good acting.

Wonderful acting, especially by the children. The story was so real, totally believable. Hated the yellow subtitles, missed a lot of the dialogue.

What cinema should be! Simple and elegant storytelling at its best.

Really enjoyed watching this masterpiece, and I know I'll watch it a second time. Fabulous acting; you get the real thing vs Hollywood kitch.

Fabulous, thought provoking, sweet and tender. Did well me full of emotion which was good, made I did nearly shed a tear at the very end. A story of dignity and understanding.

It was a very thought provoking film. Healing is a factor but the notion of revenge is paramount.

A very thought provoking film. It is about healing but the notion of revenge is paramount.

Wrong communication, stereo typing, sexism, very misleading, unrealistic.

Despite some plot holes in terms the story setting, the feelings I got from watching this film were genuine, because the acting was genuine.

This movie explores what is missing in our society without talking about it. It is very well acted and cast. It is a gem! I even enjoyed watching it a second time!

[ATTENTION: This review reveals content of the movie.]
Though a number of things about the film may be difficult to believe, once you get on the train and follow the movie, you realize that this film is a great work. All the actors are fantastic and very convincing in their roles. The kids are wonderful and deserve all the rave reviews that they might receive. It makes you wonder what would happen if a teacher did hang herself, how would the kids react, etc. I did not want the movie to end and felt that I should see what happens. A real joy of a film, one that Canadians should be proud.

It is so heartening that these types of stories are being told. This is very well done.

The film is exquisite and explores the hearts and minds of children and the complexities of humankind. The children actors are fabulous as is the actor portraying Mr. Lazhar! 10+

Touching without being cloying or sentimental. As accurate a portrayal of a teacher's relationship with a class as I've ever seen. Not flashy or over-wrought. Amazing, measured directing. Wonderful restrained acting by the adults and riveting performances by the children. The best movie I've seen in a long time.

Good to see... learning about today's youth reality in our school system.

It teaches us that life is not text book, great.

[ATTENTION: This review reveals content of the movie.]
Beautiful story, beautifully acted. The child actors mesmerized me. The story is about a class of children who were abandoned by their previous teacher in a dramatic way. In comes Monsieur Lazhar, an Algerian immigrant who has his own pain to deal with, yet he finds solace in the children and they in him. Just a lovely film and I doubt there is a dry eye at the very end.

An excellent movie, I really enjoyed it, it was very emotional, too bad it didn't win anything at the Oscar.

Comedy, tears, drama, all the good things that you want to see in a movie, and, made in Canada.

Very moving, very well acted, very well written movie. A pleasant surprise I'll be recommending to everyone.

Simple, touching; Mr Lazhar, what an artist.

I really enjoyed this movie. Well done and acted. I actually enjoyed this one better than the Separation (the foreign film that won the Oscar)

I so loved the movie, I saw it twice in one week. The cast selection was brilliant. Mohamed Fellag was magnificent in his leading role. The children were marvelous as was the school principal. M. Falardeau managed to sustain a consistent tempo throughout this very touching and thought provoking movie. I was riveted to the screen and very much appreciated the incredible talent of all the actors.

I loved it. Great drama with many different layers , the school, the students, the immigrant teacher and more. Gives many interesting angles of life. Great acting. Enjoy!

It deserves the Oscar nomination! One of the fineset Canadian/Quebec movies! Well controlled, but the messages were subtle. It is gripping and it has good camera work! I look forward to the Director's next film! Please go and see it!

Beautiful, warm, engaging movie. You forgot that you were reading subtitles and were moved by the performances. The kids were great!

[ATTENTION: This review reveals content of the movie.]
The main premise of a teacher hanging herself in the classroom was hard to believe, especially knowing that one of her students would find her. Aside from that, I liked the exploration of the children trying to come to terms with their teacher's death and the juxtaposition of the new teacher with a tragic past. The main little girl was beautiful and stood out. She was so mature. The ending was abrupt and left us wondering what would become of the new teacher. I'm not sure that this film should have been nominated for an Oscar. It needed more fine-tuning.

This is a great movie, wonderfully acted and the children are brilliant too. You'll laugh and you'll cry.

A bit slow and visually unimpressive but heartfelt and well acted. Worth seeing on cheap night.

[ATTENTION: This review reveals content of the movie.]
Great movie. Based on an earlier one-man play, and developed into a full-length drama. Saw it in French, but anglos will have no trouble following the plot with sub-titles. Great themes and message(s) All good actors - the children really "steal the show." Well-worth seeing. Be aware: This is a serious film without a happy ending.

A fine psychological analysis of the impact of a shocking death on children and adults alike, while revealing specific issues in Canadian society, in school, family life and integration of immigrants. Bachir Lazare and his class are learning to change, adapt, open up and grow in the most credible life lesson. It's a jewel of a little movie coming from La Belle Province.

Superb little film that overcomes all the hurdles, quietly, and with decisive hand. Acting is spot-on, the child actors are brilliant, and other production values are solid. The central plot premise (no spoilers) is contrived and not believable; however, by the time you've wiped away your tears, you won't even notice the plot. What few have commented on is how wonderfully this film undertands the diffrence between the culture of Quebec and that of other French-speaking countries. Bravo Bravo!

For me, it was an o. k. film. It just didn't stood out or left an impression on me as the other foreign film "A Separation". The kids in the film were terrific as well as the lead actor who played their teacher.

A gem of a movie, well written, acted and shot. It explores a lot of deep territory in a way that entertains as well as makes you think. A film that is about respect and responsibility on many levels.