Over the years, the significance of Teachers’ Day has either been completely diminished or has been limited to exchanging a few messages to past teachers who have made an impact on our lives. No matter how you view your teachers, one thing everyone can agree on is that as one grows up, mentorship is not just limited to books. This next roundup of movies emphasizes exactly that – mentorship beyond the classroom.
dead Poets Society
Peter Weir’s cult comedy drama, dead Poets Society (1989) may have taken place in a school, but the heartfelt touch it still leaves decades later brings a tear or two to the eyes of those familiar with its magic. As poetry professor John Keating, Robin Williams guides a group of budding boys to read between the lines and understand the full layers of life.
If you haven’t seen the movie yet, be sure to watch its iconic “O Captain! My Captain!” scene.
good will Hunting
This is also a movie starring Robin Williams. good will Hunting (1997) stars Matt Damon, a very young actor, as a mentor he meets by chance. Sean Maguire (played by Williams) leads him to greatness. The biggest lesson from the film, which the audience understands through Matt’s will, is that happiness and success are not always about obligations. Sometimes you just have to “go get to know a girl”.
mona lisa smile
It’s really surprising that Mike Newell’s mona lisa smile (2003) is still a hidden gem. One criticism of this film starring Julia Roberts could be that it is a little too mature with the social dialogue about how women are placed in society and how they can unwittingly contribute to the selfish structure. That being said, the state of affairs is still dire more than 2 decades later, sometimes you need the kind of aggressive guidance that Julia’s Katherine Ann Watson stood for. The film is also a brilliant reflection of different women finding allies in each other, simply because of their womanhood.
school of Rock
Also set in orbit led by Jack Black school of Rock (2003) is a great example of how children can guide adults, even if it’s just a gimmick. Apart from the fact that it’s genuinely hilarious, the warm relationship of the directionless Dewey Finn (played by Black) with a group of schoolchildren who eventually infuse the magic of music into their lives, even if funny, will not put a smile on your face.
Ratatouille
If you’ve never thought of Ratatouille (2007) is a film about mentorship that has changed today! Whether it’s little Remy’s wisdom in the kitchen thanks to his human idol, Chef Auguste Gusteau, or the young-blooded rat showcasing his talents through the humble and kind Linguini, this cult classic holds a permanent place on the list of the best animated films ever made. The power of some good food and tender care and love is truly unmatched and Ratatouille feels like a warm embrace in this regard every time you hit the play button.
Kung Fu Panda
The second Jack Black movie on the list, Kung Fu Panda The franchise follows the adventures of the lovable, kind-hearted Po as he discovers that his purpose in life is not actually to eat baozis, but to become the future of kung fu as the Dragon Warrior. Enter the wise and witty Master Shifu who guides Po to his destiny.
Special Mention: The Devil Wears Prada
No one ever looked at the iconic Miranda Priestly and said, “Wow, what a master”. But, we disagree. Anne Hathaway’s Andie may have lost herself in her relentless pursuit of being accepted by Meryl Streep’s Miranda, but the latter became the repository of everything Andie didn’t want to be, which led her to leave a world that wasn’t truly serving her vision. All the more reason to make this 2000s classic untouched. And what’s more, a sequel is finally coming!
How are you remembering your teachers this Teachers’ Day?
