Klass

As a psychological film about school bullying, The Class is exactly what the you’d expect before watching it. It easily manages to shock with its violent and psychological content and to evoke strong emotions and concern for the fate of the main characters. The realistic depiction of their suffering and endless humiliation is so disturbing that not everyone will bear to watch it to the end, even though nothing obscene or unbearable actually appears on screen. In this respect, the film gets an A+, and I would have no problem giving it a full rating. However, as hard as I tried, I couldn't fully immerse myself in the story and get rid of the knowledge that it was all happening only on TV. Plain and simple, the filmmaking aspect didn’t do it for me at all, it lacks the vigour with which such ethical themes should be approached, and despite the perfectly meaningful and escalated story, I cannot ignore the fact that the film did not leave any lasting impression on me with its cold conception. The aforementioned Evil definitely comes out as the winner in this fight. (14.08.2012)

This film is easier to rate in comparison with the similar Swedish movie Evil. Both films rouse strong emotions and are equally assured in what they want to leave us with, but while Evil boasts attractive filmmaking craft, The Class is very limited in this respect. It’s filmed without any enthusiasm, as though using a hidden camera. The plot makes sense and shows some escalation, but both the screenwriting and visuals are utterly mechanical and unattractive. If not for the topical and urgent subject matter, the film probably wouldn’t have made it out of Estonia. (25.03.2009)

I agree with all that has been said in the surrounding five star ratings and should say that The Class is well worth seeing regardless of whether or not you like it in the end. But personally, I have one big problem with it. It is based on real events. Not that I don’t believe that, but it’s like finding two places on Manhattan where grass is growing through the concrete and on the basis of that they make a movie about how New York has turned into impenetrable jungle. Which doesn’t necessarily mean that it must be a bad picture. With any other movie, something like that wouldn’t bother me at all, but with The Class and its message, topicality and credibility it’s different. It’s a sort of cheap appeal to the viewer. But it would have worked just as well, if not better, with “more intimate" bullying and without the whole class,or even school, being involved (wouldn’t anyone have done anything, if only calling a teacher during the lynch in the lobby?). However I doubt that this would still bother anybody else, so don’t take my verdict very seriously. (06.02.2008)

Depressive as hell. Thanks God for the school I go to, because I would never want to be at the one of this film. If Requiem for a Dream can be recommended as compulsory viewing for drug prevention, The Class should be recommended as prevention against bullying. A bloody must see movie. 100% (15.10.2008)

At first glance, The Class appears to be a controversial film. In reality, it is a film that presents its message so directly and unequivocally that I can hardly imagine a viewer who would not understand those two unfortunate individuals and their desperate act (to understand, of course, does not automatically mean to agree). I believe that many would willingly bring ammunition to both of them and reload the empty magazines of their arsenal after that week of hell. The Class is an unpleasant film, and undoubtedly impactful in a certain respect. However, it plays it safe to such an extent that it dulls its emotional impact. In fact, even those who themselves engaged in or continue to engage in bullying or harassment can easily agree with the condemnation of such brutal violence. In the popular sitcom The Big Bang Theory, the sympathetic Penny fondly remembers how she cleverly humiliated and tormented the class nerd in high school. The shocked society of young intellectuals subsequently recalls how their less talented classmates managed to make their lives miserable. When asked if Penny realizes that she actually committed a crime, the girl replies that everyone had a great time and enjoyed it like never before, and never since. And that's what it's all about. Many things we did in school weren't exactly fair and could make life quite unpleasant for those less popular, less successful, or weaker, and many of us somehow manage to make our colleagues' lives unpleasant with subtle bullying without even acknowledging that it is actually bullying. That's what sadistic prisoners in prison engage in, or what happens to rookies in the military. After all, it doesn't concern us at all, right... From my perspective, The Class is an average film with a strong theme. Nothing more, nothing less. Overall impression: 60%. (24.05.2015)