School Life (2017)
87%RT Audience Score: 77%
Awards & Nominations: 5 nominations
School Life is a delightful and heartwarming documentary that showcases the incredible work of teachers at Headfort, an Irish boarding school. The film immerses viewers in the daily lives of the students and teachers, offering a charming and intimate look at the joys and challenges of education. Directors Neasa Ni Chianáin and David Rane capture some truly lovely moments, particularly during the music lessons. While some critics have noted that the film doesn’t delve deeply into the personal lives of the teachers, this reviewer found the focus on their work to be both engaging and inspiring. Overall, School Life is a must-see for anyone who believes in the transformative power of education.
School Life” is like a real-life version of Hogwarts, but with less magic and more music lessons. The documentary follows the lives of students and teachers at an Irish boarding school, and it’s hard not to fall in love with the charming characters. It’s a heartwarming reminder of the important role teachers play in shaping young minds, and it’s perfect for a cozy night in with friends and family. Plus, who doesn’t love a good Irish accent?
Production Company(ies)
Renaissance Films, British Broadcasting Corporation, Curzon Film Distributors
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for rude humor throughout, language and thematic elements
Year of Release
2016
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
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Runtime:NA
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Language(s):English, Central, Khmer, Spanish
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Country of origin:Ireland, Spain
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Release date:NA
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
School Life, documentary, David Rane, Neasa Ni Chianáin, teachers, students, boarding school, Ireland, education, inspiring, warm-hearted, charming, observational, music lessons, Fred Wiseman, School of Rock, Headfort, teachers as superheroes, formative years, immersive, intimate, educational, engaged educators, personal, portrait, joy of teaching, Robert Roten, Dennis Schwartz, Wendy Ide, Kevin Maher, Leslie Felperin, G Allen Johnson, Kenneth Turan, Heidy Morales, Charlotte Harrison, Alistair Ryder, Marisa Carpico
Worldwide gross: $23,316,139
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $28,737,108
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,561
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 3,133,818
US/Canada gross: $20,007,149
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $24,658,782
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,343
US/Canada opening weekend: $6,878,437
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $8,477,664
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,000
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $8,500,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $10,476,238
Production budget ranking: 1,650
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $5,641,454
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $12,619,416
ROI to date (est.): 78%
ROI ranking: 1,017
David Rane – Director
Director(s)
David Rane
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Sundance
Awards & Nominations
5 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (47) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (44) | Rotten (3)
Boarding school, especially for these youngsters (aged eight to 12) has rarely looked more appealing.
November 3, 2017 | Rating: 3.5/5
David Stratton
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
File this charming documentary alongside Être et Avoir in the list of films that make the case that teachers are the closest thing we have to superheroes in everyday life.
October 15, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Wendy Ide
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
There are some lovely observations from the directors Neasa Ni Chianáin and David Rane, especially the scenes of music lessons.
October 12, 2017 | Rating: 3/5
Kevin Maher
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Imagine Fred Wiseman directing a remake of School of Rock but in Ireland and you’re almost there, but with more incidental music and a closer focus on the charming characters.
October 12, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Leslie Felperin
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
The immersion invites viewers to form their own thoughts on the children and teachers, and the value of the education offered at Headfort.
September 21, 2017 | Rating: 3/4
G. Allen Johnson
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
“School Life” is as charming, intimate and warm-hearted an observational documentary as you’d ever want to see.
September 14, 2017
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
School Life is a reminder of how important the role of teacher is in the formative years of one’s lives. It is an entertaining and charming story that can be enjoyed alone, with friends and family as well.
February 20, 2021 | Rating: 3/5
Heidy Morales
Hye’s Musings
Immersive, intimate, and charming.
January 27, 2020
Charlotte Harrison
VultureHound
School Life is likeable, but not lovable, due to how we never truly get to know about these inspirational teachers outside the classroom.
December 25, 2018 | Rating: 6/10
Alistair Ryder
The Digital Fix
School Life is a pleasant film about the quiet, pain-staking work of engaged educators.
December 25, 2018 | Rating: 7/10
Marisa Carpico
The Pop Break
Directed by Neasa Ní Chianáin and David Rayne (‘The Stranger’) this is a warm, personal, inspiring portrait of students, teachers and staff at an Irish boarding school that could have been titled The Joy of Teaching.
January 5, 2018 | Rating: B
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope
Absorbing educational documentary.
November 20, 2017 | Rating: A-
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews…
Plot
Imaginative quiet teenager Rafe Katchadorian is tired of his middle school’s obsession with the rules at the expense of any and all creativity. Desperate to shake things up, Rafe and his best friend Leo have come up with a plan: break every single rule in the school and let the students run wild.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The documentary features an unknown actor in the cast.
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