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Trailer

Monsieur Lazhar

2011Movie1 h 34 min

ComedyDrama
83
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.5Letterboxd3.8/5Metacritic827.7Rotten Tomatoes98%86%

A deeply moving, melancholic drama movie about everyday modern life and growing up, with standout performances and characters.

Good for friends night · teens · thought-provoking

Skip it if you want something to laugh at · you want fast pacing

Where to watch

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Not for scares, laughs or adrenaline.

Movies with

Story

No matter where you go... there you are

During a harsh Montréal winter, an elementary-school class is left reeling after its teacher commits suicide. Bachir Lazhar, a charismatic Algerian immigrant, steps in as the substitute teacher for the classroom of traumatized children. All the while, he must keep his personal life tucked away: the fact that he is seeking political refuge in Québec – and that he, like the children, has suffered an appalling loss.

Feels like

  • Quiet Drama
  • Emotional Healing
  • Childhood Trauma
  • Teacher-Student Bonds
  • Immigration Story
  • Subtle Pathos
  • Human Resilience
  • Montreal Setting
  • Character-Driven
  • Poignant

Cast

20 of 20

Crew

Directed by
Philippe Falardeau
Written by
Philippe Falardeau
Produced by
Kim McCraw, Luc Déry
Music by
Martin Léon

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

September 10, 2011 · 1 h 34 min · Suicide Themes, Disturbing Imagery

Released
September 10, 2011
Runtime
1 h 34 min
Content
Suicide Themes, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Drama, Comedy
Original language
French
Made in
Canada
Box office
$7 million
Available in
18 countries

Tropes

Beleaguered Bureaucrat, Bittersweet Ending, Call-Back +9

  • Beleaguered Bureaucrat
  • Bittersweet Ending
  • Call-Back
  • Canadian Equals Hockey Fan
  • Cool Teacher
  • Corporal Punishment
  • Creator Cameo
  • Driven to Suicide
  • Dramatic Drop
  • Gratuitous English
  • An Immigrant's Tale
  • Ship Tease

12 of 16 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream Monsieur Lazhar?"

Questions about Monsieur Lazhar

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Monsieur Lazhar?

JustWatch TV FreePhiloBrewKanopyHooplaFandango at Home FreeFandorPlex

In the United States, Monsieur Lazhar streams on Philo, Brew, Fandor, and Cineverse, and it is free with ads on JustWatch TV Free, Kanopy, Hoopla, Fandango at Home Free, Plex, Darkroom, and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 9 other countries.

Is Monsieur Lazhar worth watching?

83
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 83 (IMDb 7.5, Letterboxd 3.8 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 98%, and Metacritic 82). Critics rate it higher (90 out of 100) than audiences (78).

Will Monsieur Lazhar make me laugh?

Serious

Not much for a comedy: the title analysis gives its humor 0 of 4.

Is Monsieur Lazhar plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

Is Monsieur Lazhar in English?

French

No, it was made in French.