To Be And To Have is a film every teacher should see, and every parent, too. It's a documentary that traces a year in the life and career of 55-year-old George Lopez, a traditionally minded teacher, and his mixed-age class of 13 pupils in rural France.The film is an assiduous, patient documentary that assembles the life of a small school over a year in its remarkable detail. Director Nicolas Philibert obtains relaxed, candid footage from its charming children; in Lopez he has unearthed a gem of a subject. To Be And To Have won several awards, including the 2003 Sacramento French Film Festival Audience Prize.

Being fairly all-eating when it comes to films and literature I watched (the whole of) this movie without finding any point to it at all. Some teachers do a brilliant job - I agree. That kids are different from each other - absolutely. But finding anything particular about this teacher and these kids that should make it worthwhile to spend 90+ minutes watching it - sorry.I could really only find one scene in the whole movie that gave me anything at all.So my main point is that with so many good and brilliant films (and books) out there you could spend the time far better than watching this documentary.

I was a bit puzzled as I began to watch this documentary - so many documentaries are of the "in your face" variety, and state their point of view early on; this film allows its them to unfold throughout, one bit at a time. For some reason I want to say that it was lovingly done - the director's approach was soft and familial, and the viewer comes to know and understand the life of this teacher, and his quiet passion for preparing children to enter the world.When I was at my university studying to be a teacher, the entire college of education was brought together to view "To Sir, With Love"; it was inspiring and filled us with enthusiasm for our future profession. As wonderful as "To Sir, With Love" is, I think that viewing this film is just as important for future educators. Sure, our circumstances are very different here, but our approach to children, and to life, can be the same in an American metropolis as it is in rural France. Definitely worth watching!

Although this is a largely plot less documentary, it is more dramatic and touching than most filmed dramas these days. In addition to charming, actual real human lives, the movie gives us magnificently filmed views of the Auvergne and its countryside in different seasons, and a most sensitive original musical score, which succeeds not only because it is appropriate to the subject matter (a cinematic novelty THESE days), but also because it serves as punctuation only, not as a constant backdrop of emotional distraction.This is a portrait of a wonderful school teacher in his professional capacity, demonstrating his positive impact on a variety of different children and their parents. The word "professional" is key here, this is not a personal portrait of him or of his life, but on his method of interaction with the students. I was very impressed by his encouraging, respectful, and quietly affectionate manner with the school children; giving them gentle prods towards the next little accomplishment level of each one's individual development. He never raises his voice, but establishes an atmosphere of dignity and mutual respect in the classroom. I also was very moved by the way in which these children are being reinforced by attention at home.Special note: if you ever have wanted to be a an observing fly on the wall in your children's schoolroom, this is YOUR movie! It probably goes without saying, but nevertheless, I will add that the children are absolutely adorable!