Once in a Lifetime

The famous film To Sir, with Love can be considered idealistic. A movie that wants to believe that a teacher full of ideals and determination can achieve the seemingly impossible. Although I do not identify with it and where it tries to evoke catharsis, it actually brings a smile to my face, and I feel the authenticity and passionate enthusiasm in it. Once in a Lifetime, on the other hand, gives more of a feeling of a government contract. Parts ordered by the Ministry of Education and Culture with the aim of bringing the class community together and instilling in the descendants of immigrants a sense of belonging to French society, and trying to convey the message of French republicanism to them. Where the bitter drama of The Class shows a depressive and hopeless picture of unincorporated and demotivated troubled youth from poor Parisian suburbs, Once in a Lifetime offers simple and overly easily functioning solutions. If the teacher could gradually engage eight to ten more students alongside the two or three outstanding students through patient and persistent work, it would seem more believable. But here, as is usual with such works, we are witnessing a miraculous transformation of the whole class. Should I really believe that students who, at best, seem likely to end up unemployed and homeless, or at worst, as reinforcements for organized crime and jihadist terrorist organizations, only need such a small bit of incentive for transformation? That a girl who, with her approach, must push an ordinary teacher to suicidal thoughts, later presents a project with enthusiasm worthy of Rosa Luxemburg fighting for the German proletariat? Once in a Lifetime is suitable for a school performance where teachers will make a note, and students will either ignore them or mock them. The only positive aspect I see is the presence of a number of promising young actors whom I would like to see in a few years in a film with a better script, one that I could believe in. Overall impression: 35%. (10/29/2017)