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Ethan Hawke in his breakout role in "Dead Poets Society" in 1989. Source: https://www.slashfilm.com/2009916/ how-teenage-ethan-hawke-rewrote-character-dead-poets-society-scene/ (May be subject to copyright) |
It was the climax to “Dead Poets Society” which was also one of the best movies I have ever seen.
A young Ethan Hawke was one of the stars of “Dead Poets Society”, playing an insecure, shy student brought out of his shell by an inspiring teacher, played by Robin Williams, in one of his finest roles.
Yet, Ethan Hawke has put together a solid career that transcends that iconic role.
Getting started
It’s funny that I wrote about “Explorers” yesterday, then today got a news release announcing Audi Canada was welcoming Ethan Hawke as the featured speaker for the 11th installment of their homegrown Innovation Series. He is described as a prolific actor, screenwriter, director, producer and best-selling novelist. I took seeing the beginning of Hawke’s career one day and where it is now the next day, as a sign it was time to write about Ethan Hawke.
It’s funny that I wrote about “Explorers” yesterday, then today got a news release announcing Audi Canada was welcoming Ethan Hawke as the featured speaker for the 11th installment of their homegrown Innovation Series. He is described as a prolific actor, screenwriter, director, producer and best-selling novelist. I took seeing the beginning of Hawke’s career one day and where it is now the next day, as a sign it was time to write about Ethan Hawke.
As I said, “Explorers” was Ethan Hawke’s motion picture debut in 1985. It tells the tale of some friends who build a space ship out of an old amusement ride to meet some aliens in space.
Ethan Hawke would have his big break through with his next full length feature film four years later.
Oh Captain my Captain
It was the summer of 1989, and I was living in student residence for the summer. I came home from campus on a Friday afternoon, and saw the back of a woman’s head sitting in our student lounge. She turned around to reveal it was my dear friend Kari Jesswein. Her older brother, one of my best friends, emerged from the washroom shortly after.
It was the summer of 1989, and I was living in student residence for the summer. I came home from campus on a Friday afternoon, and saw the back of a woman’s head sitting in our student lounge. She turned around to reveal it was my dear friend Kari Jesswein. Her older brother, one of my best friends, emerged from the washroom shortly after.
They had come to the city, from their home town of Sedgewick where they were living for the summer, to round me up to go see a movie.
They had their eye on a movie they had heard about. A sneak preview, one advance showing only, was playing that night. They wanted me to come.
It was called “Dead Poets Society” and it would not disappoint.
Robin Williams, in an incredibly understated, reserved performance, plays John Keating, the new English teacher at a private, all boys school in a sleepy New England town in the 1950s.
Hawke plays Todd Anderson, a student who is introverted and insecure. When he attends his first English class, he is greeted by a teacher determined to shake up the stodgy school.
Keating uses a variety of unorthodox methods. He starts by having the boys tear out of their text book a chapter breaking poetry down into a mathematical formula. He soon teaches them carpe diem, or seize the day, and introduces them to the idea of the Dead Poets Society. He is their leader, and will only answer to “Oh Captain, My Captain.”
Soon, Keating’s students take his lessons to heart, including Neil, who is their avowed leader. He ultimately will go behind his father’s back to try out for a play and make it. He is a success but, when his father finds out, forces him to quit. Neil is distraught, to the point he takes his own life.
Of course, it is a conservative community in the 1950s, so the family and the school blame Keating and his teaching methods. The students, including Todd Anderson, are forced to sign statements condemning Keating.
He is summarily fired, and the dean who fired him, played brilliantly by Norman Lloyd, takes over the class.
As he does so, Keating enters the classroom briefly to get the last of his things.
At that point, Todd blurts out, “It wasn’t your fault Mr. Keating.”
Keating stops while the dean tells him to leave.
As he does, Todd yells out “Oh Captain My Captain” and stands on his desk. Soon another student joins him, and another, and another, and another.
By the end, more than half the boys are standing on their desks.
Keating looks them over.
“Thank you boys,” he says.
And leaves.
It was one of the most brilliant scenes I have ever seen, and Ethan Hawke plays a major part in it.
One more time
“Dead Poets Society” had not yet reached the theatres at that point, but was a hit when it did.
“Dead Poets Society” had not yet reached the theatres at that point, but was a hit when it did.
A few months later, I had settled in to my new home in student residence on Main Kelsey. My new floor had a bunch of really cool people who were always doing stuff together, and everyone was welcome.
At that time the University of Alberta Students’ Union started playing movies at the Meyer Horowitz Theatre in the Students’ Union Building.
One night, some of the guys – Bruce, Phil, Colin, and Kim – were going to a movie and invited me along.
It was “Dead Poets Society”.
And I cried in the end all over again.
The years beyond
Ethan Hawke appeared in one more movie in the decade, before his career really took off in the 1990s and beyond. In 1989, he appeared in “Dad”, playing the son of Ted Danson and the grandson of Jack Lemmon.
Ethan Hawke appeared in one more movie in the decade, before his career really took off in the 1990s and beyond. In 1989, he appeared in “Dad”, playing the son of Ted Danson and the grandson of Jack Lemmon.
In 1991, he had his first lead role, in “White Fang”, then went on to a prolific career including “Alive”; “Quiz Show”; “Reality Bites”; “Before Sunrise”; “Gattaca”; “Great Expectations”; “Snow Falling on Cedars”; “Hamlet”; “Training Day”; “Before Sunset”; “The Purge”; “Tesla”; and so many others.
He continues acting, directing, producing, and writing to this day.
Parting thoughts
In my research, I discovered Ethan Hawke was born in 1970, just like me. It is hard to believe when he was playing a little boy, or a high school kid, that he was the same age I was.
In my research, I discovered Ethan Hawke was born in 1970, just like me. It is hard to believe when he was playing a little boy, or a high school kid, that he was the same age I was.
It makes even more sense he would be in his fifties, given how much he has accomplished in his career.
Having said that, with all the work he has done since 1989, he will always be Todd Anderson to me.
And I am grateful he was.
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