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Reviews provided by RottenTomatoes
Ty Burr, Boston Globe: Only two-fifths of a satisfying movie experience. Read more
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press: Thinking about what the film might have been makes it almost impossible to enjoy the film that is. Read more
Connie Ogle, Miami Herald: Canin's story is far more effective, but because of its basic premise, The Emperor's Club is more than just another feel-good teacher movie. Read more
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper: Kevin Kline perfectly cast to play this. Read more
A.O. Scott, New York Times: Life, the movie concludes, is not as simple as most movies like it would have you believe, but it doesn't manage to make the characters complex enough to make this an insight rather than an axiom. Read more
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: It's comfortable and pleasant, and if you squint you can practically see Dead Poets Society. And then it surprises -- just a bit, but enough. Read more
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Kline's powerful and even daring portrayal may be wrapped inside a fairly traditional movie, but it's definitely worth seeking out. Read more
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: Though the message of The Emperor's Club is not precisely what you might expect, it's an awfully familiar one nevertheless, a theme that's too comfortable for its own good. Read more
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle: The film has the uncanny ability to right itself precisely when you think it's in danger of going wrong. Read more
Steven Rosen, Denver Post: If you stay with the story's overly familiar arc, there is an unexpected plot twist that redeems the film, and makes a valuable point. Read more
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: Kline does a welcome, restrained job as a prof whose ambivalent relationship with his own successful father shades his teacherly relationship with a senator's kid. Read more
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail: In the name of an allegedly inspiring and easily marketable flick, The Emperor's Club turns a blind eye to the very history it pretends to teach. Read more
Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning News: The obvious sincerity of director Michael Hoffman and star Kevin Kline doesn't translate to on-screen energy. Read more
Ella Taylor, L.A. Weekly: In the spirit of Canin it ought to be, yet director Michael Hoffman and screenwriter Neil Tolkin can't resist converting rumination into plot, then tailoring the plot to the explication of messages they don't trust us to get -- or argue with. Read more
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune: Kline gives a beautiful performance, one every bit as moving as Williams' in Dead Poets Society, Robert Donat's in Goodbye, Mr. Chips and Michael Redgrave's in The Browning Version. Read more
Rex Reed, New York Observer: This is a film of enormous heart, compassion and intelligence that tackles vital issues with wrenching, thought-provoking honesty and cinematic skill. Read more
James Berardinelli, ReelViews: It dares to be a little different, and that shading is what makes it worthwhile. Read more
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: Kline's performance shows a deep understanding of the character, who is, after all, better than most teachers, and most men. We care for him, not because he is perfect, but because he regrets so sincerely that he is not. Read more
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: A substantial examination of character, morality and destiny. Read more
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune: Read more
Peter Howell, Toronto Star: The movie may not be worthy of an Oscar, but Kline's highly nuanced performance is certainly worthy of our attention. Read more
Mike Clark, USA Today: You don't have to be an especially tough grader to give a charitable B-minus to The Emperor's Club. Read more
Ed Park, Village Voice: Though the prep-school visual cues need revamping ... Club's inability to moralize saves it from kitsch. Read more