The History Boys Movie Review (2006)

Based on a Tony winning play, The History Boys, about a group of teenage boys trying to achieve entrance into university, is different than it seems to be.

Being the theatre nerd that I am, I had heard about The History Boys and added it to my watchlist years ago. The film is based on the Tony Award winning play of the same name in 2006 and stars the same cast – several of whom have gone on to have huge careers. But I like to go into things fresh, so I never learned much about the show or the film. I’ll let you decide for yourself if you want to watch it.

The History Boys is about a group of boys in an English grammar school (similar to finishing high school in the US) and soon to be applying to Oxford or Cambridge. Primarily studying with two teachers, a third comes onboard in this last year. Hector, a teacher who is more creative and focuses on music, poetry, and drama, letting the boys decide what they want to learn and is different from new teacher, Irwin, who focuses on the game of getting into university.

As this film began, it was impossible not to take notice of the cast. James Corden, Dominic Cooper (Mamma Mia! and many other films), Sacha Dhawan (The Master in Doctor Who and so much more), and Richard Griffiths (Mr. Dursley in Harry Potter and so much more) are just a few of the faces that you’ll know. Granted, the young men don’t look like they are 18, but I was willing to suspend disbelief.

It took me a little while to start connecting with the story, so if you watch this, give it a little time. That said, the narrative does focus on the boys’ wanting to get into university, but it also becomes something else.

****SPOILER ALERT****

In a scene very early on, Hector invites any of the boys to get a ride home with him on his motorcycle. The boys are knowingly uncomfortable, but one eventually agrees.

It is not much later that there is discussion about how Hector fondles the boys while on the motorcycle. The conversation is playful, they don’t seem to mind it, and it’s just one of those things.

In the middle of the film, Hector’s ways are discovered by another adult who reports him to the Headmaster. The Headmaster is very upset and says there will be consequences, but that Hector should choose to retire at the end of the year instead of suffering the embarrassment of being fired. Then he continues to teach the boys for the rest of the year.

As the other teachers find out about his dealings with the boys, instead of being appalled, their reactions are sadness and disappointment. At no time does anyone call attention to the fact that this man is sexually assaulting his students.

This is difficult enough to watch, but there is another level that bothered me even further. Hector comes off as a sweet and kind man. He is played as very sympathetic and you actually really like him. You feel sorry for him. And the cycle of liking him and then remembering that he is a pedophile is sickening. I really struggled with it and I still do.

At the end, one of the students who previously discussed his feelings about being gay admits that he has grown up to be a teacher with the same issue. “And although I never touch the boys, it’s always a struggle. Maybe that’s why I’m a good teacher.”

I have so many problems with this that I can’t even begin to list them all, so I’ll just express the most glaring one. Just because you are gay does not mean that you struggle not to touch children inappropriately. Period. The assertion is hugely offensive.

****END SPOILERS****

I am assuming that there is more to the play than there was in the film because I do feel like something is missing. It’s billed as a comedy, but I didn’t see any humor, even before I got all thrown for a loop. I could be wrong, but it’ll take me a little while to find out. That is enough of The History Boys for me this week. I’m off to watch Dead Poets Society.

Runtime: 112 minutes

Motion Picture Rating: R

Languages Spoken In The Film: English and a little French (with no subtitles)

Should You Watch It? No

Did I Cry? Nope

My Rating: 1.5/5 Stars (I struggle with this rating, but I just can’t rate it higher)

Available: To rent on Prime Video or may be available for free on other streaming platforms