Intertextual

The History Boys (R, 2006)

Netflix Cinemajig: Movie Reviews

In this way, the film compares favorably to “Dead Poet’s Society.” Putting the films side by side is inevitable. “The History Boys” likes its characters more and is much kinder to them and takes itself far less self-seriously. Another comparison some will make is to Tom Stoppard’s play “Arcadia.” Both stories concern themselves with the single pursuit of knowledge for knowledge’s sake versus the exploration of the intangible qualities of life through the arts. “The History Boys” doesn’t hold up as well here. It comes across as the high school version of “Arcadia” ”in love with the idea that it’s tackling themes much grander than it really is.