The Class is an honest, heartfelt and consistently entertaining portrayal that maintains a level of realism that will keep its viewers constantly reminding themselves that they're not watching a documentary -- it's difficult to think of much higher praise to heap on the film than that. The site's consensus reads, "Energetic and bright, this hybrid of documentary style and dramatic plotting looks at the present and future of France through the interactions of a teacher and his students in an inner-city high school. Before that point, we simply observe the day-to-day interactions between Marin and his pupils, and in these scenes, The Class differentiates itself from almost every other school-based film we've seen by making one simple choice – it actually focuses on teaching. However, after an argument over football teams with Will, another boy who is problematic, Souleymane insults François and is sent to the head teacher's office. Meirieu is concerned about the reading that can be made of the film, which, by showing the difficulties and the explosive situation that emerges, suggests that there is no alternative or which would reinforces authoritarianism and anti-pedagogism.

Remarkably, Bégaudeau plays himself, or a version of himself; he does it very well, although as teaching is all about putting on a performance commanding enough to subdue the toughest audiences, maybe that shouldn't surprise us. Even if there are problems between the professor and his students, by the end, they are all playing football together in the playground. Cantet's film is based on the eponymous book by François Bégaudeau, a former teacher who decided to inaugurate his writing career with a memoir of sorts recounting his experiences in a middle school in a Parisian suburb.

The English-language version of Entre les murs was published in April 2009 by Seven Stories Press under the title The Class. I am quite modest so I'm going to say I hope I was good, I hope I was believable, but it is the audience who decides.

It is not as famous as “ Les Choristes ” but it received the Palme d’Or at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival and its touching and thought-provoking take on education and French society has been acclaimed by critics. The Class is based on an autobiographical novel by author and former teacher François Bégaudeau, about working at a tough multi-ethnic school in the Parisian banlieux. Fictionalizing that Esmeralda had read Plato's Republic was idiotic, and her explanation was atrocious. Rabah Nait Oufella, one of the French students from the film The Class, which won a Palme d'Or at Cannes film festival last year. The Class covers a year in the life of a single Parisian classroom, but it is a film which could be taking place in any classroom in any major city.Energetic and bright, this hybrid of documentary style and dramatic plotting looks at the present and future of France through the interactions of a teacher and his students in an inner city high school. I would find it difficult to believe someone who said s/he didn't feel what it is like to be in that classroom. Its themes are universal, and the questions it provokes about cultural identity, discipline, and the way we teach and learn should resonate with any viewers who seek out this marvellous film. Its authenticity means that it also sheds light on the tensions that arise, the mistakes that are made, and all the areas that need to be improved.