Thus far, we've found nothing bad written about Monsieur Lazhar, our film for this Sunday. Rotten Tomatoes had an aggregate rating around 96% and below is a couple of extracts from the reviews.
It’s a gorgeous film too: the wintry palette of greys, browns and pale pastels, and the cold, indirect sunlight illuminate the story perfectly. Algerian-French comedian, Mohamed Fellag, carries the film with dignity, his expressive features betraying a well of emotion. We never question how unrealistic it is that an asylum seeker could show up out of nowhere to make a difference in kids’ lives – Monsieur Lazhar never pretends to be anything but a grown-up fable, and it’s a captivating one.
Film Ink.
"Monsieur Lazhar" is a moving film about teachers, but it’s not a rah-rah kind of film where classroom superheroes serve as educator, father, best friend, stand-up comedian and inspiration for their students. Instead, like the French drama "The Class" or the wonderful French documentary "To Be and To Have," the film understands the complex bond between teachers and students, and how the classroom is a sacred space they share for a short time before moving on.
Rob Thomas 77 Square