★★★★★

I actually own a copy of History Boys. It was a Big Lots discount bin find. Honestly, I’m glad I stumbled into History Boys. There is no way I would have added it to my rental list given the description.

An unruly class of gifted and charming teenage boys are taught by two eccentric and innovative teachers, as their headmaster pushes for them all to get accepted into Oxford or Cambridge.

This is really a delightful and touching (in more ways than one) movie about adolescent boys in a prep school trying to explore life and their own sexuality. While the boys may not be the most intelligent bunch, they are wise beyond their years.

Richard Griffiths gives an amazing performance. I have yet to decide if frances de la Tour fills the role or the role fills her. She really disappears on screen allowing you to see only the character she portrays. Her character also has one of the most touching scenes in the movie, standing by the pews in the chapel talking with each boy about the future they go on to have and those which have none. (I don’t want to explain that scene because there is no way to do it without giving away too much of the movie.)

This film should have gotten far more awards than it did. I’m glad I own a copy. I put it on any time I need a feel good movie or need to get just a wee bit nostalgic for school days when life was simple and the future was in front of me.

For more movie rental ideas please see list one and list two.