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Monsieur Lahzar is a tender and thoughtful portrait of a man with hidden grief and also a compelling exploration of the teacher-student dynamic.
All Critics (117) | Top Critics (40) | Fresh (114) | Rotten (3) | DVD (1)
Lazhar is something of a puzzle, and much of the pleasure of Philippe Falardeau's film lies in the gradual unfolding of his reserved yet impulsive personality. Sep 6, 2012 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Lazhar is something of a puzzle, and much of the pleasure of Philippe Falardeau's film lies in the gradual unfolding of his reserved yet impulsive personality.
Jake Wilson
Very few films offer a moral grandeur, as well as a political foundation; very few films have such poised and brilliant performances from unknown actors. Sep 6, 2012 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Very few films offer a moral grandeur, as well as a political foundation; very few films have such poised and brilliant performances from unknown actors.
Paul Byrnes
Although it raises timeless questions about life and loss, and timely ones about mentorship and multiculturalism, "Monsieur Lazhar" would rather teach than preach. Jun 1, 2012 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
Although it raises timeless questions about life and loss, and timely ones about mentorship and multiculturalism, "Monsieur Lazhar" would rather teach than preach.
Joe Williams
A gentle film can still be searing in its effect on an audience, something that "Monsieur Lazhar" proves emphatically. May 24, 2012 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Full Review…
A gentle film can still be searing in its effect on an audience, something that "Monsieur Lazhar" proves emphatically.
Bill Goodykoontz
With a few folds, this story could have made a script for John Barrymore, like Topaze, or for Chaplin. May 11, 2012 | Full Review…
With a few folds, this story could have made a script for John Barrymore, like Topaze, or for Chaplin.
Stanley Kauffmann
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. May 3, 2012 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
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.
Xan Brooks
[Monsieur Lazhar] is a surprisingly charming, but sad, story of the sort of special mentor we're all lucky if we meet once in a lifetime. Jan 3, 2019 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
[Monsieur Lazhar] is a surprisingly charming, but sad, story of the sort of special mentor we're all lucky if we meet once in a lifetime.
Kelly Jane Torrance
Thoughtful, intelligent, elegant, touching, warm and with some splendid dashes of humour. It almost made me forget myself, which is weird, as well as something of a novelty. Aug 31, 2018 | Full Review…
Thoughtful, intelligent, elegant, touching, warm and with some splendid dashes of humour. It almost made me forget myself, which is weird, as well as something of a novelty.
Deborah Ross
[Philippe] Falardeau's unobtrusive direction, and the restrained performance of Fellag and the child actors, make this a powerful, unsentimental film that doesn't make you feel like you're hearing a lecture. Aug 30, 2018 | Full Review…
[Philippe] Falardeau's unobtrusive direction, and the restrained performance of Fellag and the child actors, make this a powerful, unsentimental film that doesn't make you feel like you're hearing a lecture.
Pat Padua
It rarely diverges from the template, but it's a particularly modest, intelligent and moving film. Feb 9, 2018 | Full Review…
It rarely diverges from the template, but it's a particularly modest, intelligent and moving film.
Steve Erickson
lowly enveloping you in its pace, this is a film you never want to end. Sep 18, 2017 | Full Review…
lowly enveloping you in its pace, this is a film you never want to end.
Neely Swanson
Guaranteed to have you reaching for the Kleenex. Jun 2, 2013 | Rating: A | Full Review…
Guaranteed to have you reaching for the Kleenex.
Al Alexander
Even if the performances are not that strong, this is a delicate drama that could have been easily made into a maudlin melodrama in the wrong hands but instead goes for a realistic approach that renders it much more involving, touching and sincere than most films of the kind.
Super Reviewer
A refugee from Algeria goes to Montreal and takes over for a teacher who killed herself. A gentle film with an edge, Monsieur Lazhar features strong performances by Mohamed Fellag and his young class. There are many scenes that seem aimless until they're considered in the scope of the larger story. As a whole, the film is part of the teacher-as-hero genre, and while its anti-intellectualism is confined to the premise that a man with no training can succeed, Monsieur Lazhar is a nurturing love educator, thrown into an emotionally charged classroom with grief-demons of his own. Its thesis -- that there are times when educators are called on to be caring parental figures -- is ludicrous in reality, but I found it effective because of Fellag's soulful performance. I think the conflict is never fully resolved, which is a common complaint I have with French-language films. I think Lazhar should have had to expose his damage; these kids' emotional lives are on display for Lazhar, and it seemed logical that Lazhar would have to do likewise. The fable bit was an attempt, but the writing on this fable didn't go far enough. Overall, this is a strong film in a problematic genre.
Nice enough movie, just really slow. Definitely the kind that critics like....
'Monsieur Lazhar'. Gently, but respectfully deals with loss through great all-round performances and poignant writing.
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