Kevin Kline should have won an Oscar for his dignified portrayal of Mr. Hundert, the kind of teacher/mentor who gives one hope for the education system - if only he existed in real life.

Okay, maybe that's a tad cynical...

Mr. Hundert is the longtime teacher of classics and assistant headmaster of St. Benedict's Academy for Boys. The staff loves him, the students love him, and he embodies all to which teachers and/or mentors should aspire. A real class act, no pun intended (well, maybe it was).

The first section of the movie is mostly a long flashback where we witness his encounter with a defiant student, a senator's son (Emile Hirsch) with a really bad attitude who desperately needs Hundert's lessons on leadership, integrity, and character. And it looks as if Hundert is going to break through to the guy, but in the end the brat decides to follow the dark side of the force (oops, wrong movie!).

Hundert considers that one of his greatest failures - but he gets a second chance twenty five years later when the now-grown brat appears to have a change of heart and wants a second chance at academic salvation.

Is his apparent new attitude for real or is it a con and, if it is a con, why?

Kline, as mentioned, is outstanding. We went into this movie not really expecting much, but came away from it glad to have had the experience. The movie, while depressing and quite predictable in many ways, is really a story of a man’s life, dignity, and integrity as well as a look (kind of like “It’s a Wonderful Life”) of how one man’s actions can have wide-ranging effects on those whose paths he crosses.

The supporting ensemble, which also includes Steven Culp, Embeth Davidtz, Patrick Dempsey, Joel Gretsch, Edward Herrmann, and Rob Morrow, is very convincing; Michael Hoffman’s gentle direction drags us into the story and keeps us there without beating us over the head or wallowing in saccharine or political correctness.

The DVD’s pretty good, too. Universal has released it in an anamorphic widescreen edition, 16x9 TV compatible, and the picture is crisp and sharp and the colors are rich and textured. The DVD is also offered in a Pan&Scan version, but we recommend that if you’re thinking of buying the disc that you get the widescreen version for your long term enjoyment.

Audio is offered in Dolby Digital or dts 5.1 surround and though this isn’t the type of movie that really benefits from a “kick butt” audio system, the soundtrack is clean and clear throughout. There isn’t a lot of surround leaping out at you, but that somehow seems appropriate with this flick.

Extras include a “Making of” look behind the scenes with director Hoffman and the cast, and in depth feature commentary with director Hoffman, and some deleted scenes with director’s commentary. You also get some DVD ROM features, etc.

The Emperor’s Club, from Universal Home Video
110 min. anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1), 16x9 TV compatible/Pan&Scan (sold separately), Dolby Digital and dts 5.1 surround
Starring Kevin Kline, Steven Culp, Embeth Davidtz, Patrick Dempsey, Joel Gretsch, Edward Herrman, Emile Hirsch, Rob Morrow, Harris Yulin
Produced by Andrew Karsch, Marc Abraham
Written by Neil Tolkin, Directed by Michael Hoffman 

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