Better without the surrealism?
I found the film an engaging look into public school life 50 years ago, and it builds up to the ‘what If…’ promise of the title, but then deflates itself by turning surreal, as if to suggest much of what we’re seeing exists in the characters’ minds.
Did the filmmakers chicken out of showing a real violent rebellion by inserting a ‘don’t worry, it’s just a dream’ caveat?
Or have I misunderstood the film and the surrealism has a worthwhile point?