Playing one’s cards right

"A story about the paths we take, the lessons we learn, and the lives we change along the way." These words are from a poster of Kevin Kline’s exceptionally good movie, The Emperor’s Club. Reading this passage on a newspaper tickled my fancy."I need to see this film," I told myself.

And so, after rearranging my schedule, I finally got the chance to watch it. I decided to see the movie alone so I could give it my full attention. The movie’s plot is not unusual. I had seen movies with characters who don’t believe in themselves and their journey with people who do believe in their potentials. But in The Emperor’s Club, this is only the tip of the iceberg. Halfway through the movie, succeeding scenes will awe you. Just when you think you already know what the film is all about, more surprises await you.

William Hundert (Kline) is a teacher in an all-boys preparatory school. He teaches Western Civilization. He’s an erudite and well-principled man who values traditions and tries to live by the rules. He’s the typical old-fashioned and dedicated teacher.

Then there’s William’s student, Sedgewick Bell (Emile Hirsch). He’s a rebellious son of a senator and a spoiled brat with no respect for authority. For William Hundert, Sedgewick is a pain in the neck.

The two, however, begin to develop a mutual admiration. William notices Sedgewick’s potential. He starts to believe in the boy and what the latter can do.

The upcoming Julius Caesar quiz is the much- awaited quiz contest for the top three students of Sedgewick’s class. Unfortunately, as William computes his students’ grades, Sedgewick only ranks fourth. Perhaps compelled by his faith in the boy, William changes Sedgewick’s grade on the final exam for the latter to be the third contender for the Julius Caesar quiz. In doing so, William consequently excludes the real third placer whose father is a former title holder.

But William’s high regard for Sedgewick is shattered when, on the culmination of the intellectual battle, he catches the boy cheating.But instead of stopping the contest, he just asks a question he knows Sedgewick will not be able to answer. This gives the other student the chance to emerge as winner.

After several years, William receives a letter from Sedgewick inviting him to be the host of a mock Julius Caesar quiz on their batch’s reunion. It will be, as Sedgewick claims, his chance to redeem himself even though the contest would be held just for fun. William gladly accepts the invitation without any inkling that Sedgewick will cheat as he did before.

The many lessons to be learned from this movie deserve reflection. For the movie is not merely about the evils of cheating; deeper issues are embedded within this wonderful film. I learned to understand how difficult it is to be a teacher. I began to wonder what comes to their minds whenever they need to grade students. I’ve pondered on their criteria in evaluating another person. What happens before a grade is made?

I also learned the beauty of honesty and justice. I’ve become more careful about what I do and I try to base my decisions on a combination of intellect and emotion and restrain myself from following only either one. I’ve learned that my every action has its consequences and that a good intention may also cause harmful results.

Even so, there are no guidelines telling us how to live our lives. Each of us has his or her ways of surviving in this world. Some choose roads already traveled while others seek new paths. Some have it the easy way, others suffer the opposite.

But in traveling this mad world, we should always consider the principle of fairness. We should be just in dealing with whatever life throws at us. We should refrain from stepping on other people. By respecting others‚ we can achieve those things we dream of. Not everything is about winning or losing; it’s how you play the mystery game called life.