William Hundert (Kevin Kline) has been teaching classics at St. Benedict's Academy for Boys for many years. He loves his job and has dedicated every moment of his life to shaping the character of the young men who come under his influence. Hundert is particularly interested in the school's annual Mr. Julius Caesar Contest, which involves weeks of essay tests capped off by a public quiz between the three top contestants. Although he still takes care of routine chores, including overseeing one of the dormitories, he has dreams of one day being headmaster of the school.

This particular year he faces a new challenge — a student who has little respect for the school's traditions or Hundert's authority in the classroom. Sedgewick Bell (Emile Hirsch) is the son of a U.S. Senator (Harris Yulin) from West Virginia. The boy immediately shows his disdain for Hundert's seriousness about his subject. He becomes the instigator of many pranks on campus and the ringleader of a secret meeting with some students at a nearby private girl's school. Bell doesn't study and is convinced that his good looks and high social standing will carry him through any situation. When Hundert goes to see the Senator about the boy's uncooperative actions, this wheeler dealer says that he shouldn't worry about molding Sedgewick's character; his job is just to teach him the basics. At the end of the interview, the professor realizes just how difficult it must be to be the son of this powerful and domineering man.

Hundert, who still believes that character shapes fate, decides to take on Sedgewick as his special project. When the boy gets involved in the Julius Caesar contest, the professor is surprised to find himself going out of his way to let him into the final phase of the contest. To do this, he has to deny Martin Blythe (Paul Dano) a chance to be in the public quiz. Then in the middle of the event, he realizes that Bell is cheating.

The Emperor's Club is directed by Michael Hoffman and based on Ethan Canin's short story "The Palace Thief." Ethics is what makes and keeps life human. As the headlines remind us, however, we do not always take the time to consciously consider our choices about how we could and should behave. In this richly satisfying drama, Hundert is a moral man who loses his way when he tries to take responsibility for the direction of Sedgewick Bell's life. Ego often sabotages our highest ethical ideals. Kevin Kline puts in another graceful performance as the flawed teacher who stumbles badly in his encounter with the Bells.

Years later, Hundert gets another chance with this dishonest and privileged young man who has now risen to the heights of power and prestige as a successful businessman, an aspiring Senator, and a major contributor to St. Benedict's Academy. Bell invites his old professor to lead a rematch of the Mr. Julius Caesar Contest at a fancy resort with a group of his classmates. Hundert is nearing retirement and has been passed over for the position of headmaster. James Ellerby (Rob Morrow), a younger colleague, holds that job and regards his old friend as somewhat of a dinosaur. Several more surprises await Hundert as he again comes into contact with Sedgewick Bell.

This solid and substantive film beautifully conveys the slippery slope of ethical dishonesty and the disregard for the old virtues in the corridors of power where the rich do what they want.

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