Instruct: Classify a given review as either positive or negative.
Query: Very effective drama.

An Algerian immigrant replaces a teacher who committed suicide in the classroom. The students understandably have difficulty dealing with the trauma, and the new teacher tries to help them, while dealing with his problem of fleeing possible persecution in his home country. The difficulties that teachers of young children have are also addressed, as the school must strike a balance between the allowing the bonding of teachers and students and protecting the kids from predators. The relationships that Mr. Lazhar develops with his students and also his co-workers are at the heart of this film, and it is a very effective dramatic movie about a man trying to help kids he cares about while also tending to his own problems.