The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

But I expect we won't see part two - because of the quiet discontent that spiraled out of control once the movie hit box office paradise. The producers evidently turned capitalistic in their approach and by calling this movie a "documentary" where given the license to keep over one million euros while the actual star "Mr. Georges Lopez" makes nothing. He sued after the movie made it to the top of the charts - but the French Government failed to give him his due reward. Shame on them! I agree with Mr. Lopez, and the families of the children who are suing for a piece of the profit. Where else on earth could this money be more well spent? But to conclude, Mr. Lopez, you may not receive materially thanks for your life work as a teacher, but you surely receive the thanks of all residents of this world for your gentle, loving and intellectual approach to enriching the lives of the children of rural France. Cudos Mr. Lopez. You are a hero in the truest sense of the word. And one other thing I'd like you to know...there could not be a more beautiful place on earth then where your one room school house was located - I envy you your job and your location...a life well led is almost impossible in a global capitalistic economy like the one we are all confined to live in. One last thing....write a book if you'd like to make some money. Since I'm sure that Part II won't be coming out in the film office, I'd be just as happy to read about it. Then come and live out your final days here in the U.S.. You would certainly receive better legal treatment here then in France!

Yes, it's in French. Yes, the title is "enigmatic." And, yes, you will have to read subtitles if you're French-challenged. But this film will show you what "to educate" means (from the Latin educo -- to draw forth, i.e., to lead out of). The teacher in this rural French one-room school has a dozen or more students from ages 5 to 11, and to all (pupils and parents) his demeanor is one of "how can we find common ground", "how can we live together harmoniously" and "how can we foster development?" This is a great movie, a marvelous documentary filled with private moments and a way of life that is hidden demurely away, even from the French. There are touching moments where students must face difficult life problems and somehow in French seems to be the most lovingly gentle way to approach them; we almost feel like a voyeur in these scenes (thank you, France, for that word). If you are at all moved by the process of childhood development, of what it means to be a source of truth in people's lives, and what is it a teacher really can do, then watch this film (maybe several times). If you're tired of movies with intricate plots, sirens and helicopters, this is the film for you!

I can't say much about the film except that I love it. I don't want to come across like a 12 year old fan club president, but oh well. The main problem I have with many contemporary documentaries these days is that they tend to go for maximum entertainment, and little else. Overly slick, often gimmicky in nature, with flash editing and a cynical tone, they are instantly forgotten (i.e. Super Size Me, Inside Deep Throat, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, among many many others) To be and To have, beyond entertaining is an INSIGHTFUL look into us as human beings, I know I know, a movie about the human condition, sounds corny or worse dull but it is far from either of those adjectives. The film follows a class of kinder gardeners in the French rural countryside for a year. It is both profound and simple to watch these children learn the everyday lessons of life. Even more amazing is that it does so without becoming overly sentimental or sugary. The film's point of view inevitably takes on that of a five year old, finding magic and greatness in the everyday mundane aspects of life. Highlights: When the teacher explains the concept of infinity to the children. Marie and Jojo in general are a delight. The handwriting lesson as insight into personality. I could go on and on. Just see it

This sensitive chronicle of a year in a one-room classroom shows us a teacher who is humane, infinitely patient, and totally devoted to his children. His enlightened philosophy and love are clearly evident as he prepares his (often charming, sometimes troubled) children to be adults. He knows many things about his students that nowadays only the rarest of teachers would know.The film shows us gorgeous shots of pastoral serenity, but most of all, it took me back to the childhood that I would have wished to have had (but of course did not have). I wish that Georges Lopez had been my teacher. I would have learned French just to have been allowed to have had him as my own teacher (even now!). Monsieur Lopez is an irresistible teacher! This documentary film has humour and beauty; it shows us spiritual pain, problem-solving, and deep emotional growth. I found Être et Avoir deeply satisfying film, both aesthetically and pedagogically. Even though I was already a teacher, I learned a great deal about how a truly great teacher educates students. I was humbled to see the fruits of enormous patience and wisdom.