After Class

After Class is a heartfelt yet tragically humorous drama released in 2019, directed by Daniel Schechter, and starring Justin Long, Kate Berlant, and Lynn Cohen in pivotal roles. Known internationally as "Safe Spaces", the movie expertly explores tough social conversations, in addition to balancing familial ties and professional commitments, of course, with a bit of humor.

Justin Long plays the role of Josh Cohn, a well-intentioned, dedicated New York City professor who is deeply passionate about his job and adored by his students. Profoundly committed to driving engaging discussions on sensitive and controversial subjects, Josh naturally finds himself navigating a precarious situation as a result of classroom discourse that turns tense and increasingly volatile - an issue that is typical in today's often polarized social climate.

Josh's techniques, aimed at inspiring open conversation and critical thinking, end up drawing criticism from the students and the academic administrators alike. The plot thickens as he tries to refute the accusations of political incorrectness, while fruitlessly convincing everyone of his good intentions.

This professional crisis runs parallel to Josh's personal life, where he is grappling with his beloved grandmother's declining health, compelling him to venture back into his chaotic family environment. Lynn Cohen plays the part of this determined, spirited grandmother with perfection, capturing the full essence of her character's strength and spunk. Berlant, on the other hand, steps into the shoes of Cathy, an ultra-sensitive student who misinterprets an innocent act by Josh as an offense, triggering a series of events.

The movie bravely takes on the multifaceted subject of individual safe spaces and the blurred lines that surround them. It gives a nod towards the necessity of political correctness, yet questions its extreme interpretations by portraying the protagonist's distressing predicament where he is trying to keep his commitment to freedom of speech and open-minded education intact.

Supported by exceptionally authentic performances by Justin Long and the rest of the ensemble, After Class strikes the right chords, capturing the palpable tension in today's educational institutions concerning open conversations on sensitive issues, and the challenging family dynamics during times of crisis.

Visually, the film paints a vivid portrait of various settings from Josh’s engaging university classroom to his quintessential Jewish family gatherings that are filled with warmth, love, bickering, and chaos thus, making the audience a part of Josh's seemingly overwhelming world. The swift tonal shifts from humor to drama are complemented by equally adept cinematography, straddling both light and dark scenarios smoothly while striking an equilibrium between hilarity and contemplation.

At its core, After Class is a beautifully-crafted narrative that thoughtfully treads the fine line between what considered being an offense to someone's personal space and what can be looked upon as a constructive discussion. It delves into the age-old debate on self-censorship versus freedom of speech, presenting a mirror to our society and challenging the audience to introspect.

Indeed, amidst all the classroom drama and familial chaos, at no point does After Class lose its essence — highlighting the importance of communication and understanding from both sides of a conversation, without hostility or counterproductive shaming.

In conclusion, well-paced and straight from the heart, After Class is as engaging as it is thought-provoking. With its authentic portrayal of complex characters and their equally complex relationships, the narrative adeptly covers a broad spectrum of issues emanating from subjective interpretations of everything we say and do in this politically charged world. It’s a must-watch for those seeking a film that combines humor, pathos, and a fair dose of social commentary into an irresistible package.