96% Monsieur Lazhar

All Critics (78) | Top Critics (28) | Fresh (75) | Rotten (3)

A sad, reflective study of the possibilities, and the impossibilities, inherent in the teacher-student relationship.

"Monsieur Lazhar" is good. Really good.

The film is rich in naturalistic, tossed-off details.

A standard liberal tale about an inspirational teacher gradually deepens into a quiet study of how grief works its way through a community.

It's all a bit neat. But whatever the film's limitations, it's certainly engaging to watch.

Its purpose is to present us with a situation, explore the people involved and show us a man who is dealing with his own deep hurts.

Takes the fairly dreadful 'teacher who makes a difference' sub-genre and puts an interesting new spin on it that gives it the allure of something fresh.

Some teachers will learn from it. All teachers will find it a reaffirmation of their vocation.

Fans of Nicolas Philibert's immaculate chronicle of the learning curve, ?tre et Avoir, are sure to appreciate the warm lessons of this award-winning Canadian film.

Monsieur Lazhar remains tight-lipped about his private life, but the audience comes to learn about the great human loss and danger of deportation that clouds his life.

Works awfully well, managing to be sweet and distinctly easy without feeling the need to talk down to the viewer at the same time.

Eloquent drama about contemporary issues like immigration, education, integration and the propriety of physical contact with students.

Only the most obstreperous delinquent could fail to be charmed by Monsieur Lazhar, in which an Algerian refugee plays ramshackle Mary Poppins to the kids at a Montreal primary.

The film invites comparison with Laurent Cantet's 2008 film The Class, which makes it look tame by comparison, but also Dead Poets Society, which makes it look tough.

Monsieur Lazhar becomes a deeply affecting film not for pathos but for the way sadness is conveyed so subtly. It's a small triumph of restrained compassion, coaxing throat lumps rather than jerking tears.

Canadian filmmaker Philippe Falardeau's warm, tidy character study [is] gratifying.

Despite its independent credentials, it feels like a softened remake of a rawer, more compelling story.

A timely examination of violence in our society through the eyes of those who can't control it.

Broaching tough material in a tactful, sensitive manner, Monsieur Lazhar is a potent, stirring gem of Canadian cinema.

You could almost describe 'Monsieur Lazhar' as a morality tale, but it's more thought-provoking than debate-provoking.

The result is a shrewd look at classroom etiquette and an achingly sad study of grief-stricken solitude, built on ace performances by Fellag and the kids...

It's a subtle meditation on catharsis, and a gentle indictment of over-regulated education...

An Oscar nominee at this year's Academy Awards and for good reason, Falardeau's film is moving, smart and sensitive. Terrific stuff, in short.

Notions of class, cultural, ideological and emotional violence - or perhaps a little of each - take on vastly difference meanings in this sensitively woven French Canadian journey through Algerian exile, student angst and outsider alienation

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