Movie: Higher Learning
Writer/Director: John Singleton
Genre: Drama
Starring: Omar Epps, Tyra Banks, Ice Cube, Laurence
Fishburne, Kristy Swanson, Jennifer Connelly, Cole Hauser, Jay R. Ferguson, and
Michael Rappaport
Looking for a great college movie focused on the lives of
partying and studying college students? Higher
Learning does just that and much more. It’s an emotional ride through the
college life of certain characters struggling to make ends meet. In this movie you have the stereotypical college girls, the
typical frat boys, the social reformers, the lesbians, the racists and the kids
that are just trying to get by. As they all come together, one messed up
college campus is formed where tragedies happen to everyone: even the nice
people who are standing on the outside.
This drama illustrates the perplexity of social, political
and racial standards on a diverse college campus. Track star Malik struggles with his academic career while at the same time is dealing with the
racial segregation from his classmates as well as the campus police. Right from
the beginning we see his frustration as a young girl holds onto her purse
tightly as she enters the elevator with him. Throughout the entire movie Malik has difficulty finding himself in a town where people set him up to fail. The
character of Kristen becomes the victim of date rape after having too much to drink
one night. She then struggles with her sexuality and tries to create a better
campus for all her fellow classmates. The character of Remy is approached by a
racist group, shaves his head, and commits crimes affecting the lives of
innocent by standards.
As you can see, this movie is filled with personal and
social conflicts, and something intense is happening in every scene. This movie
was released in theaters in 1995 and was rated R for the graphic scenes and
fowl language. The final scene is where most audience members feel like this
movie moves away from being considered a college movie and turns more towards a
movie focused around racial problems. The gruesome scene of a campus shooting
leaves some in tears and others in pure shock.
Director John Singleton was the first African American and
the youngest person to be nominated for best director at the Academy Awards. He
is director of many other movies including Rosewood
and 2 Fast 2 Furious. Here he created
an entertaining, shocking movie that revealed a lot about the college life of
that time period. He turns a great college movie into a drama that makes people
realize the vices of human beings, and hopefully show them the tragedies that they
can lead to.
If you’re looking for an emotional, moving drama
about the lives of college students, then Higher Learning is perfect for you!
I really liked how you were able to analyze that the movie had typical "college" experiences, and that you addressed those first, and then addressed the more raw parts of the film. I think you effectively pointed out how the movie had issues of discrimination and sexuality and other social conflicts. I also enjoyed your snip it about the director and his accomplishments! I look forward to watching this film!
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of "Higher Learning" before, but your movie review does a great job of summarizing and analyzing it! Your descriptions of stereotypical college students are accurate and interesting. I like how you picked a couple of characters to explain in depth, revealing their conflicts and struggles, that really brings your writing to life and gives a better idea of what the film is like. Sounds like a good movie, can't wait to watch!
ReplyDeleteI to have never heard of this movie but your review had me hooked from the beginning and I now have added it to my list of movies I need to see. You did a great job at talking about the college experiences, characters, and racial issues that are included throughout the movie. From your review, I can see that this movie teaches important lessons and I can't wait to watch it and tell others to as well.
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