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The Last Class

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Tomatometer 9 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
American political economist, professor, author and social media sensation Robert Reich worked under presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. He served as Secretary of Labor in President Bill Clinton’s cabinet, and as a member of President Barack Obama's economic transition advisory board. Reich is known for his work on economic inequality and as a champion of public education and American democracy. He is among one of America's most prominent public intellectuals. The Last Class is a nuanced and deeply personal portrait of Reich as he reflects on a period of immense transformation, personally and globally. It is also a love letter to education. The former Secretary of Labor might be famous for his public service, best-selling books, and viral social media posts, but he always considered teaching his true calling. Now, after over 40 years and an extraordinary 40,000 students, Reich is preparing for his last class. Over the course of the film, Reich confronts the impending finality, and his own aging, with increasing candor, introspection, and, ultimately, emotion. He displays a rawness of feeling he has never shared publicly before. Drawing on his lifetime in politics, he uses his class, "Wealth and Poverty," to offer us all a deeper look at why inequalities of income and wealth have widened significantly since the late 1970s, and why this poses dangerous risks to our society. One thousand students fill the biggest lecture hall on the UC Berkeley campus, the last class to receive Reich's wisdom and exhortations not to accept that the world has to stay the way it is. His belief in the next generation's ability to take on the fight is inspiring.
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Critics Reviews

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Matt Zoller Seitz RogerEbert.com Jun 27
3/4
All in all, it’s heartening to hear a major figure in American political history talking about the future as if it might actually happen. Go to Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills Aug 22
Not a great introduction to a great citizen, The Last Class is nonetheless a disarming homage to him. Go to Full Review Tobias Jeg Exclaim! Jul 24
8/10
A brisk 71 minutes that is somehow lighthearted and uplifting, despite the sobering subject matter Go to Full Review James Kendrick Q Network Film Desk Jul 4
3/4
Throughout The Last Class, Robert Reich demonstrates what American education looks like at its best, calling into question why there is so much hand-wringing over political indoctrination on college campuses Go to Full Review Stephen Silver The SS Ben Hecht Jul 3
Recalls what it’s like to sit in a university lecture and be enthralled. Go to Full Review Joel Copling Spectrum Culture Jul 1
The whole thing comes across as both simply and simplistically congratulatory. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Lyn Oct 30 I laughed. I cried. I couldn't have loved it more. Special shoutout to the editor, music director, and, of course, to Professor Reich. See more Mark D Sep 14 Robert Reich has had an incredible career, which, while he is officially retired, is by no means over. He and his career are inspiring. Would that we all can be as productive and inspiring as he is! Well done. See more barbara Sep 6 Robert Reich is a favorite of mine. I find his explanations crystal clear and thought provoking. See more Mike Aug 24 Heartwarming. Right for the times we are living. See more Kate D Aug 23 One of the best docs of this decade. As Bob says / wisecracks at the end: you can’t find a shorter / more efficient (fill in the blank) teacher / political economist / professor / lifelong learner / role model than this guy. Highly recommend to any teacher, student, curious citizen. See more Peter F Aug 22 Great film about a great person. See more Read all reviews
The Last Class

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Cast & Crew

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Elliot Kirschner

Director

Robert Reich

Self

Heather Kinlaw Lofthouse

Producer

Meredith DeSalazar

Producer

Josh Melrod

Producer

Heather Kinlaw Lofthouse

Executive Producer

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The Last Class

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Movie Info

Synopsis American political economist, professor, author and social media sensation Robert Reich worked under presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. He served as Secretary of Labor in President Bill Clinton’s cabinet, and as a member of President Barack Obama's economic transition advisory board. Reich is known for his work on economic inequality and as a champion of public education and American democracy. He is among one of America's most prominent public intellectuals. The Last Class is a nuanced and deeply personal portrait of Reich as he reflects on a period of immense transformation, personally and globally. It is also a love letter to education. The former Secretary of Labor might be famous for his public service, best-selling books, and viral social media posts, but he always considered teaching his true calling. Now, after over 40 years and an extraordinary 40,000 students, Reich is preparing for his last class. Over the course of the film, Reich confronts the impending finality, and his own aging, with increasing candor, introspection, and, ultimately, emotion. He displays a rawness of feeling he has never shared publicly before. Drawing on his lifetime in politics, he uses his class, "Wealth and Poverty," to offer us all a deeper look at why inequalities of income and wealth have widened significantly since the late 1970s, and why this poses dangerous risks to our society. One thousand students fill the biggest lecture hall on the UC Berkeley campus, the last class to receive Reich's wisdom and exhortations not to accept that the world has to stay the way it is. His belief in the next generation's ability to take on the fight is inspiring.
Director
Elliot Kirschner
Producer
Heather Kinlaw Lofthouse, Meredith DeSalazar, Josh Melrod
Distributor
Abramorama
Production Co
CoffeeKlatch Productions
Genre
Documentary, Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 27, 2025, Limited
Runtime
1h 11m