Robert Sean Leonard says his daughters, ages 17, 14 and 8, have not seen “Dead Poets Society,” and he is unsure whether to show them the 1989 film because he finds its story heavy, especially the overbearing father.
The film follows boarding-school students mentored by a poetry teacher played by Robin Williams. Leonard’s character is forbidden by his father to pursue acting and ultimately dies by suicide. Leonard said he has not watched the movie in a long time, but remains proud of the role and its legacy.
After a recent play in London, about 100 people waited to meet Leonard. He initially thought they were there because of his eight-season run on “House,” but said they wanted to discuss “Dead Poets Society” and what it meant to them. He said fans still talk to him about the film more than 35 years after its release.
