Many of the other reviews for the History Boys opine that only homophobes would be put off by this movie. If the movie were just about the homosexual leanings and curiousity of teenage boys, I could agree. However the core of the movie is an aging teacher who expects his charges to allow him to grope them, an action that is not welcome but that is considered part of the price of his teaching and relationship. If these studends were young girls of equal age, there would be great outrage at the films seeming endorsement of the arrangement, all conducted with a Cole Porter musical background for redundancy, that young girls reluctantly agree to be regularly groped in appreciation of the teacher's great wisdom. Finally, how refined or valuable can the teacher's learning be if he can't take responsibility for his own actions and continues to act out his sexual need without any consideration for his young charges?

The History Boys reminds you of what it's like to be excited about ideas, growing up or just changing, and raises issues with surprising contemporary insight. Plus, it's a lot of fun. Highly recommended.

As someone that has been involved in intergenerational love affairs, I endorse this film highly. It is incredibly well acted, incredibly well written and lovingly transferred to film by director Nicloas Hytner, The History Boys touches and intrigues. It is certainly an eye-opener for those of you still living in the Dark Ages, but burgeoning sexuality is a part of life, and making a film about it is the very reason for creating Art. Art is supposed to make you think. If you can't see something like this, a film clearly marketed as an Art House/Foreign film, with an open mind, as the "gentleman" who referred to this as "A Gayfest? did, how about not going to see gay themed films. Duh. Instead, spend your time taking a class on Film, it might broaden your horizons some... you homophobe. "Gayfest"? I don't necessarily agree with all you idiots out there, but I can see a film about fools without having to disparage them!

Well acted, good story, though provoking - good movie ( cute guys too ! )